RACQ CQ Rescue rescues snake-bit teen from Hamilton Island, worker from Carmichael

From snake bites to mine site accidents, the region’s rescue chopper heroes clocked in more than 2200km in the air over two days across Central Queensland.

RACQ CQ Rescue clocked in more than 2200km in the air over February 18 to 19 in a series of missions that took them from Hamilton Island in the east to isolated mine sites in the west. Picture: Contributed

RACQ CQ Rescue clocked in more than 2200km in the air over the weekend in a series of missions from Hamilton Island in the east to isolated mine sites in the west.

It all kicked off early Saturday morning about 4am when the chopper was tasked to the Labona Airfield, about 300km west of Mackay, to treat a worker injured at the Bravus Carmichael Mine.

The 42-year-old Charters Towers man was seriously injured while working on a truck at the remote site, suffering fractures and a dislocated shoulder.

In a mammoth five-and-a-half hour mission, the chopper refuelled at Moranbah before flying to the site with a doctor and critical care paramedic on board to treat and transfer the patient.

He arrived at Mackay Base Hospital in a stable condition about 9am.

The same day, the chopper transferred an elderly man from Collinsville and rescued a teenage tourist from Hamilton Island after she suffered a snake bite.

The next day, a crew flew to Pembroke Resources’ Olive Downs mine near Moranbah to rescue a contractor working at the site.

RACQ CQ Rescue has booked 95 missions so far in 2023. Picture: Contributed

The 56-year-old Victorian contractor suffered a medical episode and needed immediate evacuation to a hospital.

The chopper flew to the site about 3.30pm and took the worker to Mackay Base Hospital.

The weekend jobs pushed the rescue service’s mission total to 95 for 2023.

In 2022, the service completed 638 missions.

RACQ CQ Rescue is one of Mackay’s star assets, one of the few rescue chopper services in Queensland to remain in community hands.

It is understood the service is looking to spend some $50m to replace its two Bell 412s with a newer and better option.

“The newer helicopters will provide a much larger range so we will be able to cover a larger area much faster,” RACQ CQ Rescue CEO Tim Healee told this publication in September last year.

Originally published as RACQ CQ Rescue rescues snake-bit teen from Hamilton Island, worker from Carmichael