Southern Queensland Correctional Centre staff help crash victims, emergency service workers after incident near Gatton prison

Expecting to go home at the end of their shift, dog unit members of a correction centre near Gatton responded to a different kind of emergency after a serious 4WD crash near the prison.

At shift changeover after the end of a long working day, staff of the Gatton jail went above and beyond the call of duty when they rushed to the aid of victims involved in a serious crash near the prison.

Officers from the Southern Queensland Correctional Centre found themselves first on the scene after a 4WD left the road and crashed near Millers Road on the evening of September 16, 2022.

Emergency services at the scene of a serious crash that happened near the Southern Queensland Correctional Centre on September 16, 2022.

Delta Unit dog handlers, who had just finished their shift, rushed to the scene to provide first aid to two men injured in the crash, including one person who sustained suspected head injuries.

A third correctional centre staff member, a supervisor who was on his way home, also stopped to render assistance.

“The corrections officers remained on the scene with the injured men and assisted ambulance officers to prepare a makeshift helipad for a rescue helicopter, using their vehicles to provide lighting,” SQCC general manager Chief Superintendent Tamara Bambrick said.

“Our officers went out of their way to help their community as first responders to this emergency and their efforts deserve the highest praise.”

Chief Superintendent Bambrick said Queensland Corrective Services officers receive the highest level of training, skills and support to do their jobs safely, including comprehensive training in first aid.