Queensland Ambulance Service right to information reveals new details on cases

Queensland Ambulance Service right to information documents have revealed more detail about some of the most serious incidents across the state in recent years. See the list.

An RTI has revealed details of reviews into QAS cases across Queensland.

A Queensland Ambulance Service right to information has revealed more detail about some of the most serious incidents across the state in recent years.

MACKAY: A prime mover carrying ammonium nitrate crashed on the Fitzroy Development Rd, about 15km from the Peak Downs Highway intersection on February 10, 2021.

The driver of the truck had walked away from the crash with an injured shoulder, but the volatile ammonium nitrate caused more problems.

Paramedics from Nebo, Middlemount, Mackay, North Mackay and Dysart all responded. The police issued an emergency declaration and an exclusion zone was established.

The ammonium nitrate was later diluted with sand to reduce the explosive risk before the exclusion zone was lifted. No issues were identified in a review.

CARMICHAEL MINE: Bravus Mining and Resources had to hire a private plane to bring a patient with atrial fibrillation to Clermont Hospital after flooded roads stopped QAS entering the mine site.

A rescue helicopter was tasked, but bad weather meant it could not land. QAS said in its review of the incident that it would debrief with all parties involved.

The Carmichael mine. Photo: Cameron Laird

TOWNSVILLE: Byron Farnell died in a motorcycle and pillion crash on February 20, 2021.

He and a friend were travelling on Riverside Boulevard, near the intersection of Creekwood Way in Douglas when they crashed into a tree. His mate, who was in the pillion, survived.

A review found documentation errors, but that both patients receive appropriate care. The review found the person taking the triple-0 call did not properly identify the address of the crash, and did not correctly select the correct injury status.

CHARTERS TOWERS: A rescue helicopter responding to a fatal crash on the Flinders Highway was delayed by 48 minutes so a dayshift doctor could join the crew on February 23, 2021.

QAS crews from Townsville and Charters Towers responded to the incident at Dotswood, which claimed the life of Kim Fegan and her daughter Annie Zasedko.

Described in the QAS report as a “high mechanism” crash that resulted in “catastrophic damage” to the vehicle. The truck driver sustained a leg injury and was flown to Townsville University Hospital. The review found the care provided to all involved in the crash was up to standard.

TOWNSVILLE: A patient who was confused following a fatal crash on the corner of Nathan and Duckworth streets did not receive appropriate care, according to a review into QAS treatment.

The crash, which occurred in the early hours of March 15, 2021, proved fatal for a 50-year-old Gavin Lavender. But one of the other patients, who was taken to Townsville University Hospital was documented by paramedics to be confused.

A review found proper protocol was not followed because the man, who was able to get out of the vehicle with the help of emergency services, did not have his spinal movement restricted. Three men were taken to hospital for treatment following this crash.

A woman and a young girl have died after a truck and car collided on the Flinders Highway between Townsville and Charters Towers this morning. PICTURES: MATT TAYLOR.

INGHAM: A call to emergency services in a bid to save the life of a 12-year-old boy dropped out multiple times.

Will Murdoch was discovered trapped under a rolled buggy on March 22, 2021 at Long Pocket, he was just 12 years old. He was discovered by his father, who immediately freed the boy and started CPR.

But when the first call went through to triple-0, it dropped out after one minute and 10 seconds.

A further two calls were made to emergency services, who came from both Ingham and Townsville. Family started resuscitation efforts about 7.10pm, and it did not stop until 8.45, about 20 minutes after the rescue helicopter crew arrived, including a flight doctor.

The review found there were no recommendations needed with the attending crew noted as giving a “professional performance in an emotionally charged situation”.

MOUNT COOLON: A crash on the Bowen Development Road at Mount Coolon caused chaos for emergency services trying to negotiate between operation centre frequencies, causing one paramedic to crash on his way to the scene.

On April 3, 2021 emergency services responded to the crash with five patients – one female and four children – who all managed to get out of the vehicle.

However, given the seriousness of the crash, the number of patients, and the location, paramedics from multiple sites were sent, including Glenden, Moranbah, Bowen and Collinsville.

But when responding to the incident, the Moranbah unit hit a kangaroo and blew a tyre and the Glenden unit lost control of the vehicle and crashed.

The paramedic had lost control as he changed the frequency to move from the Rockhampton operations centre to Cairns, he looked down to try and get back onto the Rockhampton frequency and subsequently rolled the vehicle.

The review found having Collinsville and Bowen controlled by the Townsville operation centre created confusion on a daily basis, and suggested they be moved under the purview of Rockhampton. It also found that the officer who rolled his vehicle had learned a valuable lesson.

Gavin Lavender.

NORTH WEST QLD: A miscommunication between the Burketown Hospital Based Ambulance (BHBA) and the Townsville operation centre meant a person injured in a crash near Burke and Wills was not responded to.

A man involved in a vehicle and caravan rollover was discovered by an off duty registered nurse who called for assistance with a satellite phone.

The BHBA was determined to be the closest by the Townsville operation centre and dispatched, however the BHBA nurse did not respond because the QAS and North West Hospital and Health Service agreement stated if it was more than 100km away, approval must be obtained.

The BHBA nurse contacted the Royal Flying Doctor Service, who responded to the incident. RFDS took the patient to Mount Isa Base Hospital with minor injuries. A review into the incident found there needed to be a discussion between all parties about the service agreement.

CAIRNS: QAS received a call at the Toowoomba Operations Centre reporting a man vomiting – the call was coded priority 2C.

24 minutes later (11.55pm) a second call was taken by the Cairns Operation Centre stating that the patient was now not conscious or breathing.

A crew arrived 31 minutes after the initial call and resuscitation was commenced but was unsuccessful and the patient died at 12.37am.

An audit of the first triple-0 call reports an overall performance of “low compliance” and an audit of the second triple-0 call notes an overall performance of “non-compliant”.

YELARBON: QAS receives a call from the parents of a young boy at 5.57pm – they report the five-year-old has drowned in a dam in Yelarbon. The caller was unsure how long the child was in the water but confirmed that CPR was in progress.

Four officers from Goondiwindi station arrived 31 minutes later with the crew conducting CPR for a further 83 minutes. The closest Critical Care Paramedic was also called in for back-up. No recommendations.

The grave of Will Murdoch at Long Pocket. Mum Kelly Murdoch and Kelly's dad and Will's grandfather Peter Sheahan. Picture: Evan Morgan

MOSSMAN: QAS received a request to transfer a female patient from the Mossman Hospital to the emergency department of the Cairns Hospital.

The patient was suffering a heart attack and she required oxygen and cardiac monitoring during transit. 92 minutes after the transfer was called for, the ambulance arrived in Cairns (5.36pm).

The patient died around three and half hours after the initial request for a transfer.

A review says there were “timely” and “appropriate” clinical interventions.

WALKERSTON: QAS receives a triple-0 call from a hotel on Bold Street following a shooting at 7:45pm.

Police are also called and arrive at the scene nine minutes later. Ambulance crews from Mackay arrive 13 minutes after the initial call and transport the patient, a 34-year-old man, to Mackay Base Hospital at 8.14pm. The patient suffered a stomach injury and was in a serious condition on arrival.

MOUNT LOFTY: QAS received a triple-0 call from a woman who had fallen and suffered a cut to her head. She had terminal mesothelioma cancer and a history of hyperkalaemia (high potassium levels).

At the time of the call there was no ambulance available in the Toowoomba region. During the delay, the only personnel available was a Senior Operations Supervisor (SOS) who was only three minutes from the scene.

The SOS advised it was “not appropriate for him to provide primary care until another crew arrived”.

A crew arrived after 24 minutes and found the patient with agonal respirations (gasping for air). The patient had an advanced health directive in place and was to be taken to hospital but they died before transporting took place.

A review found due to the patient’s terminal condition and advanced health direction for end of life the outcome was unlikely to change. But it did recommend all supervisors be aware of their roles, responsibilities and expectations.

A paramedic rolled his vehicle when responding to an incident in Mount Coolon.

TOWNSVILLE: QAS received a triple-0 call relating to two intoxicated and unwell patients at 12.08pm.

Due to a heavy workload, the incident was initially not assigned a unit. The QAS received a second triple-0 call an hour and five minutes later, with an ambulance assigned, but the unit was reassigned to a higher priority job.

A third and fourth call from the scene are made before two ambulances arrive at 2.47pm and they are advised a woman was suffering a heart attack.

The woman died at the scene, the intoxicated man was conscious.

A review found that the patient received approved appropriate care according to guidelines.

The response to the first triple-0 call was described as low compliance but the QAS was experiencing heavy service at the time.

TOWNSVILLE: A triple-0 call was made at 10.08pm with a woman experiencing cold shivers, pain in her right leg and having trouble breathing.

The job was placed in a queue before a second call was made 28 minutes later with the patient’s husband reporting his wife was unresponsive after vomiting.

A unit arrived at 10.38pm and the woman was suffering a heart attack and she died despite repeated attempts at resuscitation.

A review of activity logs found a unit was not dispatched in a timely manner.

Ramping at Rockhampton Base Hospital's Emergency Department on Monday.

ROCKHAMPTON: QAS received a triple-0 call for an incident at Frenchville where the caller reported a two-year-old boy was not breathing.

The boy’s address was received but entered incorrectly into the system producing a four minute, 21 second delay in assistance.

The boy was transported to Rockhampton in cardiac arrest but he was revived two minutes from hospital.

KELSO: Paramedics were called to reports of a sick patent who has lost blood on January 8, 2022.

The patient advised that her arm had gone weak and couldn’t move one. The job was not initially assigned with the duty operations supervisor due to high workload and no available crews. Three call backs were attempted but went to message bank.

Two crews from Kirwan arrived on scene at 2.50pm after the first call was received at 12.08pm. The female patient was declared dead at 3.07pm.

A review into the response found the Operations Centre Supervisor potentially missed comments regarding the patient not being conscious. Recommendations made included further inquiries about why Kirwan units were not dispatched earlier.

Kim Fegan.

BELCONG CREEK: QAS responds to multiple calls following a motorcycle crash. The male rider had an altered level of consciousness, broken legs and his condition was deteriorating.

An officer was sent in the wrong direction and it was reported the officer didn’t hear any transmission due to poor reception and arrived 35 minutes after the initial call for assistance, up to 25 minutes later than expected.

The rider suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away just under two hours after the first call was made.

AYR: A man with stroke symptoms fell off a stretcher in the emergency department at Ayr District Hospital, sustaining a small abrasion to the left side of his neck.

While a review found the clinical management of the case was standard, when the man rolled off the stretcher, it and the hospital bed were not ‘squared-up’, restraint straps had been removed and it was alleged only one wheel brake was engaged.

However, the man was being RAT tested on the stretcher, which may have contributed to his untimely movement while he was unsecured.

“Communication, command and control during handover was not best practice”, the incident report states.

The paramedics also did not report the fall. The male patient later died at Townsville University Hospital. When paramedics initially arrived after the triple-0 call, the man was slumped over, with slurred speech and he had a history of deep vein thrombosis.

The paramedics reported the man could not push or pull, could not hold a smile for “a good” 30 seconds and the left side of his face was drooping.

Byron Farnell.

STRATHFIELD: A woman in a car crash near Mackay, who was over the age of 70, was given a 50mcg first dose of fentanyl instead of 25mcg which did not “align with the drug therapy protocols”.

A review report later noted “a clinical drug error was made”. The two-car crash happened on the Peak Downs Highway at Strathfield, Isaac, about 3.40pm on February 2, 2022.

The woman was pinned between the front and rear seat in a ball position. She had suffered a traumatic head injury, partial right leg amputation, compound arm fracture, second degree burns, and went into traumatic cardiac arrest.

Paramedics from Nebo, Mackay, Rockhampton and Moranbah went to the crash. The crash was 27kms from the Nebo ambulance station.

There were several mine site rescue personnel at the scene when Nebo paramedics arrived at the scene, which was about 80 metres from one end to the other.

ROCKHAMPTON: Queensland Ambulance Service ‘lost’ 17 hours because of ramping at Rockhampton Hospital on February 5, 2022.

At 9:05pm that day a woman called triple-0 from home complaining of shortness of breath. After about four-and-a-half minutes on the phone the woman made no further verbal replies.

The first ambulance was dispatched 8:47 minutes after the triple-0 call was made. The crew arrived 17 minutes after the triple-0 call.

The woman was treated and left on scene with police. But during the initial minutes of the triple-0 call, it was evident paramedics were stretched. “NIL CREWS OR S/O AVAIL ANYWHERE IN RTON/GRACEMERE AREA”. “CAN AUDIBLE HEAR PT GARGLING” “TRIED 2506 AT HOSP MULTIPLE TIMES AND NO ANSWER”, it says in the incident report.

At the hospital, between 8pm and 8.15pm, there were six ambulances with patients on a stretcher, two had been ramped for more than 30 minutes. Between 9pm and 9.15pm seven ambulances had patients on stretchers, again two had been there for more than half an hour. But between 9.15pm and 9.30pm, nine ambulances had patients on-board, seven had been there for 30 minutes, the longest had been waiting 130 minutes.

Victim of the Eimeo box jellyfish sting Mark Angelo Ligmayo who tragically lost his life on February 27, 2022. Picture: Contributed

NORTH WEST QLD: In the immediate aftermath of a serious crash in north west Queensland, someone within emergency services “pleaded the case for a helicopter rescue”, and “clear objections were raised” after a chopper in Townsville was held back from launching.

On February 25, 2022, a truck carrying drilling equipment rolled multiple times on the Kynuna Highway, about 150 km north of Winton, and triple-0 was called at 4.27pm.

The male driver was pinned in the upside-down cab, which was underneath a trailer. The truck was in a culvert and the person speaking with emergency services could smell diesel.

The Kynuna airstrip could not be used, and initially emergency services knew the patient would have to be taken to Winton, because there was no doctor in Julia Creek.

At 5.24pm a helicopter from Townsville was requested. Six minutes later it was logged that there was no doctor on the helicopter so it was “not a consideration for this task”.

A conference call was requested and recorded, with the case for the helicopter denied.

Queensland Ambulance medical director Stephen Rashford was then contacted, and at 5.50pm the Mount Isa Lifeflight helicopter accepted the job. The crew for the helicopter was delayed because “there had been no advice of tasking until this point”.

The man was removed from the vehicle and had fractured arms, severe abdominal pain with trouble breathing in, and small head injuries but stable vital signs.

The man was taken to the Kynuna Roadhouse to meet the helicopter, taken to Mount Isa Hospital and then Townsville. Decisions made in Townsville led to significant delay in the aerial response. The appropriateness of those decisions was reviewed, but that review was not part of the RTI response provided to the Bulletin.

EIMEO: The Mackay Base Hospital had to scramble to find antivenom to try and treat a 14-year-old boy who was fatally stung by a box jellyfish at Eimeo Beach in February 2022.

The boy was taken to the hospital after he ran from the water with metres of tentacles wrapped around his arms and legs. Surf lifesavers did CPR, applied vinegar and used a defibrillator to assess his heart rate, but as emergency services were racing to get organised, paramedics from Mackay and North Mackay advised there would be a short delay because the antivenin had to be removed from the ‘plant room’ fridge and stored in an Esky for transport.

He was taken to Mackay Base Hospital, but the bed manager relayed they only had two doses of antivenom and needed two more. Queensland Ambulance Service could not find more locally, and an ambulance from Sarina (35km away) was sent with their only two vials.

Acting district manager Loretta Johnson, in her review, noted as a concern that there was a statewide shortage of box jellyfish antivenom. Coastal stations were emailed to ensure their antivenom stock levels were correct. The antivenom from Calen Station was also transferred to Mackay after the incident.

CAIRNS: A man had fallen in his Cairns home and likely laid on the ground for an almost an hour between a triple-0 call and paramedics arriving, amid a ramping logjam that night at Cairns Hospital.

The incident began about 10.55pm on March 10, 2022 with an alarm activation leading someone calling triple-0. The caller said they heard the patient call out, but no further voice contact was made.

Emergency services tried to call back but because of the alarm, the phone line to the house was kept open, preventing the call to the scene. The closest ambulance was dispatched from Smithfield, 32 minutes after the triple-0 call.

The ambulance crew requested a bathroom break, and arrived on scene at 11.48pm, 56 minutes after the triple-0 call. In the house there were no working lights. The man had collapsed against a door frame, which was wedged between his head and shoulder, so he could not be moved.

Paramedics could not do CPR or assess his airway because of his position. ‘Recognition of life extinct’ was recorded at 12.15am. A review found the procedure for returning officers to their station when one officer finishes earlier than their partner, as was the case with one of the ramped ambulances in Cairns that night.

MOUNT GARNET: On April 11, 2022, a lopper lay barely conscious, crushed by a tree at Mount Garnet while there was a 22-minute gap to sort out which rescue helicopter was actually operational at the time.

About 3.52pm triple-0 call was made but dropped out. A minute later the caller got through to triple-0, saying a tree had fallen on the man. The closest ambulance was 80 minutes away.

The QGAir Rescue Helicopter reported to Retrieval Services Queensland Emergency Medical Dispatcher (RSQ EMD) they were online. “It appears this information was forgotten by the RSQ EMD,” acting assistant commissioner Rita Kelly said in her review.

QGAir Rescue Helicopter was requested, but RSQ EMD advised the helicopter was not operational. The QGAir crew noticed they were listed as non-operational, and called RSQ EMD; the crew was tasked 22 minutes after the initial call. The helicopter landed 66 minutes after the triple-0 call.

The man was dead by 5.20pm.

The review recommends the Operations Centre Manager, RSQ and QGAir management meet to discuss better communication strategies and reporting helicopter availability.

Originally published as Queensland Ambulance Service right to information reveals new details on cases