No aid for truckie who rushed to help hurt crash pilots

A HERO truck driver who provided critical first aid at the site of a fatal plane crash at Clyde North in August last year is calling for better protection for citizen first responders to aviation accidents.

A HERO truck driver who provided critical first aid at the site of a fatal plane crash at Clyde North in August last year is calling for better protection for citizen first responders to aviation accidents.

Almost a year on from the crash, Giles Gibson, 46, still suffers severe PTSD and has been fired from his job because of the physical and mental injuries from the incident.

The Packenham father of two pulled the 19-year-old student pilot from the plane and performed CPR on instruction from the triple-0 operator.

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Former truckie Giles Gibson is feeling abandoned . Picture: Chris Eastman

“The student was literally gasping- they call them death gasps,” he said.

“The operator was yelling at me to start CPR, start CPR.

“To get him out … I had to get all of his weight on my side to lift him up. I ended up with blood all over me and I’ve torn a tendon in my right elbow.”

He also attended to the 25-year-old instructor, providing aid that may have saved his life.

Despite his heroics, Mr Gibson found he was not eligible for any cover by the plane company, the TAC or any aviation regulator.

He has been unable to return to truck-driving and lost his job last week, leaving him out of pocket about $50,000 so far.

He wants to see other people covered for injuries sustained when responding to aviation accidents and believes the national regulators need to step up.

Paramedics and Emergency workers at the scene in Clyde North. Picture: Jay Town

“I’d like to see the regulators actually impose a system where people who come to help others are covered,” he said.

“Next time I see a plane crash, I’ll be walking away. I would really walk away and I would advise anyone else to walk away. The risk is too great.”

The plane was register with Recreational Aviation Australia but CEO Michael Linke said passers-by should leave the job to emergency services.

“As a society, we all want to help out people in trouble,” he said.

“It is important witnesses wanting to help don’t increase the risk of harm to themselves or other people. The best thing to do if you see an aircraft accident is call 000.”

The scene where an aircraft crashed in Clyde North. Picture: Jay Town

He said their insurance never covers bystanders.

“Our insurance doesn’t extend to third parties and bystanders,” he said.

“We offer counselling to people involved.”

Mr Gibson said he was never offered counselling.

An Australian Transport Safety Bureau spokesman said it was not the bureau’s roll to deal with the issue.

“The role of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau is to investigate aviation, rail and marine accidents that have the potential to deliver the greatest safety benefits to the travelling public.”

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