St John Ambulance: 60-year-old woman loses arm in the wake of a ‘horrific’ Palmerston dog attack

A woman has lost her arm, with doctors battling to save the other, in the wake of a ‘horrific’ dog attack in Palmerston.

UPDATE 7AM TUES: A WOMAN has lost her arm, with doctors battling to save the other, in the wake of a “horrific” dog attack in Palmerston.

Northern Territory are investigating after a 60-year-old woman was mauled by a dog in a Driver home at 1.50am, Sunday.

Commander Sachin Sharma said officers found the woman with significant injuries and began first aid until paramedics arrived.

She was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

St John Ambulance NT operations manager Craig Garraway confirmed on Monday afternoon the woman had to undergo surgery to remove one of her arms

He said a second surgery was needed to save the second arm, but was unsure if it was successful.

“Obviously horrific injuries, a lot worse than I imagined,” Mr Garraway told ABC Darwin.

After seeing photographs of her injuries, Mr Garraway said he was ‘shocked’ by their severity.

He said it was tough to comprehend the “the injuries that obviously those first responders, family and friends and police had to endure prior to paramedics arriving”.

UPDATE 1PM MON: POLICE are investigating after a woman suffered “life-altering injuries” in a vicious dog attack.

Northern Territory Police confirmed police were called to a Driver home, just before 2am Sunday, after reports of a woman had been mauled by a dog.

Commander Sachin Sharma said police found a 60-year-old woman with significant injuries and began first aid until paramedics arrived.

St John Ambulance NT operations manager Craig Garraway said the woman suffered “horrific’ injuries.

“We had reports that both arms (could need to) be amputated from that episode,” Mr Garraway told ABC Darwin.

The woman was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital in a serious condition.

Commander Sharma said an aggressive dog was secured inside the property and surrendered by its owner to Council rangers.

Council workers also seized a second dog from the property that was showing signs of aggression.

City of Palmerston chief executive Luccio Cercarelli said the council were aware of the incident.

“Our thoughts are with the victim and the victim’s family, and all others that have been impacted by the incident, including our staff, NT Police and St John Ambulance,” he said.

“This is an ongoing police matter and City of Palmerston will continue to work with NT Police during this investigation.”

“This is a terrible incident and a woman has suffered life-altering injuries,” Commander Sharma said.

“At this stage we have not charged anybody, but we implore all dog owners to make sure their animals are properly trained, controlled and restrained.”

A spokesman for NT Health has confirmed the woman is in a serious but stable condition but due to patient confidentiality was unable to provide any further detail.

INITIAL 8AM MON: A WOMAN could lose both her arms following a “horrific” dog attack at Palmerston.

St John Ambulance NT operations manager Craig Garraway said the 50-year-old woman was in hospital with serious injuries following the mauling at Moulden.

Mr Garraway said they received reports of the attack at 1.50am, Sunday morning.

“The reports we had were quite horrific,” Mr Garraway told ABC Darwin.

“We had reports that both arms (could need to) be amputated from that episode.

“Paramedics arrived with the assistance of some bystanders who controlled the bleeding and managed those injuries.”

The woman was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital in a serious condition.

Mr Garraway wished she would make a full recovery, saying it was hoped she would not require the double amputation.

He said the incident would likely be investigated by NT Police.

He said paramedics had been “flat out all weekend”, with the action not stopping moving into Monday.

Mr Garraway said paramedics were called to a single vehicle rollover between Adelaide River and Pine Creek in the early hours of Monday morning.

Emergency Communications Centre Manager, St John Ambulance NT, Craig Garraway. Picture: Keri Megelus

He said two adults and three children were involved in the crash.

“All of them were able to get out of their vehicle but they did suffer a number of minor injuries,” Mr Garraway said.

It follows two serious crashes over the weekend.

Mr Garraway said paramedics were sent out to a single-vehicle rollover, 150km from Nhulunbuy at 3pm, Saturday.

He said due to the very remote location the three occupants who suffered minor injuries had a long wait for help.

“(It’s) very remote out there and very lonely when you’ve had an accident,” he said.

Mr Garraway said paramedics also treated a 35-year-old motorbike driver for critical injures after a cullions with a 4x4 on Whitewood Rd, Howard Springs.

“Both arms and legs had quite severe fractures and a number of other injuries as a result of the impact,” he said.

“Obviously a long road to recovery from all those injuries.”