Josh Cowan forced to wait an hour for an ambulance after breaking leg in country footy match

Despite a paramedic being available five minutes away, ex-Geelong star Josh Cowan had to spend an hour in agony after breaking his leg in a country footy match.

Former Cats star Josh Cowan had his leg broken in two places during a country footy match.

Former Cats player Josh Cowan lay in agony in the middle of Daylesford’s football oval with a trainer holding his leg – broken in two places – for at least an hour, despite a paramedic being available five minutes from the ground, his football club alleges.

Ambulance Victoria has apologised for Cowan’s treatment and has launched an investigation into Saturday’s incident, as his family have spoken of the trauma of trying to keep the co-captain comfortable without pain relief following the tackling accident in his comeback game.

A single paramedic is believed to have sat at the station 4km from Victoria Park.

Cowan’s mum, Jenny Cowan, and his Daylesford Football Netball Club are up in arms because a volunteer first responder at the ground – an ambulance community officer who is trained to work alongside paramedics in emergency cases – was not able to help without the supplies from an ambulance.

Cowan lay in agony in the middle of Daylesford’s football oval after breaking his leg in two places. Picture: Supplied

A single paramedic is believed to have sat at the station 4km from Victoria Park. Picture: Supplied

The man, who is an official for the opposing Hepburn side, phoned the ambulance duty manager three times to reiterate the seriousness of the ­injury and to offer his services to assist the solo Daylesford paramedic.

Instead, an ambulance from a nearby town was summoned to pick up the Daylesford paramedic before attending the ground. The club said it took another 45 minutes to stabilise Cowan before he could be placed into the ambulance.

“The whole town is furious,” Ms Cowan said. “This should not have happened.

“To watch your kid suffer like that is pretty cruel.

“There were times he was going into shock – that was the scary part.

“I know ambulances have it tough, and they do a great job but it’s times like this – when the resources are there – where they could do better.”

The accident happened nine minutes into the match – the first game since the end of the 2019 season – with the ambulance delay forcing the match to be cancelled.

Spectators watch on as the ambulance leaves. Picture: Supplied

Cowan’s family, including his parents, wife and toddler son, were among the hundreds of supporters at the ground.

Daylesford Football Netball Club president Carson White called on Ambulance Victoria to ensure this did not happen to other clubs.

“Clearly there was a massive breakdown in communication between the duty manager and local station, and the local paramedic did not get the information they needed,” Mr White said.

Cowan underwent surgery yesterday in Ballarat.

Ambulance Victoria’s regional director of Grampians, Chris James said it planned to speak to Cowan as part of its review and wished him the best for his recovery.

“After an immediate review, we have determined a mistake has been made in not responding to the patient in the appropriate time,” Mr James said.