Gympie teen survives being crushed by tractor

A teenager who survived near death after being crushed by a rolling tractor and placed in intensive care at Sunshine Coast University Hospital has been able to return home.

Teenager Tyler Lette-Webb spent five weeks at Sunshine Coast University Hospital after being crushed by a rolling tractor at a Gympie property.

A Gympie teenager who survived near death after being crushed by a rolling tractor and placed in intensive care has recovered to a point that he’s been able to return home.

Tyler Lette-Webb was forced to spend his 18th birthday in a ward at Sunshine Coast University Hospital where he had been flown to after the incident on January 14.

RACQ LifeFlight Rescue Helicopter said at the time the tractor had overturned and rolled down a hill where it crushed the teenager.

Mr Lette-Webb was admitted to the intensive care unit and was told he’d stay in hospital for three months.

His mother April Lette was at work when she received the call.

She immediately feared the worst.

Tyler Lette-Webb and his mother April Lette at Sunshine Coast University Hospital.

“Doctors told us Tyler had three lacerations which required two blood transfusions, but the biggest concern was his damaged liver,” Ms Lette said.

“We were advised an injury of this severity would require surgery and at least three months in hospital.”

The ordeal had a momentous impact on Ms Lette and her two other children as she faced several weeks on the Sunshine Coast away from her young family in Gympie.

“Tyler’s father and I had no accommodation arranged and knew it was impossible to drive from Gympie every day,” she said.

Ms Lette said Wishlist House proved a godsend.

“A social worker informed me about Wishlist and on Tyler’s second night in ICU I booked into Wishlist House for five nights,” she said.

“It was an absolute godsend to have a room to stay in just 10 minutes from hospital. It took all the stress away and gave me a place to rest during those dark moments.

“The Wishlist House volunteers were an incredible group of people and I’m glad I got to meet and enjoy their company, especially when my family were 90 minutes away.”

Tyler Lette-Webb was forced to spend his 18th birthday in a ward at Sunshine Coast University Hospital where he had been flown to in January.

Ms Lette said the ‘home away from home’ was a huge drawcard for fellow Gympie residents who had to travel to the Bokarina hospital during an emergency.

Wishlist CEO Lisa Rowe said the six-bedroom purpose-built house was available for families and carers who need to stay close to a loved one being treated in a Sunshine Coast hospital.

“Our accommodation facilities – Wishlist House and Reed House at Nambour – are increasingly busy with families from Gympie, Kingaroy, Cooloola, Maryborough and surrounds,” Ms Rowe said.

Mr Lette-Webb is now recovering at home after spending five weeks in hospital. He is expected to return to Sunshine Coast University Hospital for ongoing scans on this liver every three months.

Originally published as Gympie teen survives being crushed by tractor