Latest news with #CapRescue
ABC News
08-05-2025
- General
- ABC News
Springsure grazier recovering from grain silo collapse thanks CapRescue
When Pete Hamilton was buried by 50 tonnes of grain on his central Queensland property, he did not think he would survive. "I remember the roar, then silence and the weight. I couldn't move. Only my face was above the grain," he said. Mr Hamilton was preparing to empty the grain silo on his property in Springsure, more than 300 kilometres south-west of Rockhampton, in February 2024. He said what began as a "routine day on the land" changed in a single instant, when the silo gave way "without warning". Mr Hamilton was trapped under 50 tonnes of wheat when the grain silo collapsed. ( Supplied: CapRescue ) "The grain was around my head. It was going in my ears … eyes and mouth. "I thought I was either going to die from being drowned or crushed to death." Mr Hamilton's screams roused wife Michelle from the house. Mr Hamilton says he remembers the "roar and then silence" when he became trapped. ( Supplied: CapRescue ) Finding him partially buried she raised the alarm and the local rescue helicopter service, CapRescue, was summoned. Ms Hamilton assisted the crew with finding the isolated property, while local police, paramedics and firefighters stayed by Mr Hamilton's side, helping him and keeping him calm. Neighbours also worked tirelessly to free him, digging with shovels. "His [the neighbour's] blood ran cold when he came in and he got things happening," Mr Hamilton said. Mr Hamilton said everyone's relief when the helicopter landed was palpable. "The moment they landed, I knew I had a chance," he said. "They were calm, professional and knew exactly what to do." Be prepared for disaster Having raised money for CapRescue for years as a trail runner in the annual Springsure Mountain Challenge, Mr Hamilton said he never thought he would be calling the service for help. "I'm just lucky to still be here … [they] turned up when I needed them most. Without that flight, I wouldn't be here talking to you today." Mr Hamilton said an iron bar pinning his legs helped slow the blood flow to his foot, which was badly damaged. Neighbours worked to help Mr Hamilton with shovels. ( Supplied: CapRescue ) Ms Hamilton said the couple wanted to share their story to remind other rural families to be prepared in case disaster struck. "If you live on a property, ask yourself: 'If a chopper needed to land here, where would it go?'" she said. " Thinking about it is one thing, actually having a plan in place is another. Until it happens to you, it's not something most people ever consider. " Mr Hamilton was flown to Rockhampton and then Brisbane after the accident and had multiple surgeries, followed by a long recovery. Mr Hamilton had multiple surgeries, followed by months of recovery. ( Supplied: CapRescue ) "I've got screws, plates and scars … but I'm still here," he said. After spending weeks on crutches, followed by months of physiotherapy appointments, Mr Hamilton got back into exercise. He said it was emergency services, his friends, wife Michelle, and son Wylye that kept him going for the 5am morning runs. Running for a cause CapRescue said stories like Mr Hamilton's were not uncommon, with the service called to more than 500 incidents throughout the central Queensland region each year. It does not charge patients for emergency treatment and transfers and a third of its $15 million operating costs come from fundraising. More than 12 months on from his incident, on Sunday Mr Hamilton will again compete in the Springsure Mountain Challenge, taking part in the 17km event with Ms Hamilton. Michelle and Pete Hamilton have been training together. ( Supplied: Springsure Mountain Challenge ) He said it was important for him to give back to the community that saved his life. "Whether it was encouraging words, money, time coming out to visit me when I was in hospital … [this run] doesn't really begin to pay it back, but it feels like the right thing to do." ABC Capricornia — local news in your inbox Get our local newsletter, delivered free each Friday Your information is being handled in accordance with the Email address Subscribe
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Yahoo
Two British tourists drown while swimming at beach near Great Barrier Reef
Two British tourists have drowned while swimming at a beach near the Great Barrier Reef. A 17-year-old boy and a 46-year-old man entered the water without lifeguards in the town of Seventeen Seventy, in Queensland, Australia on Sunday. The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), said it was supporting the families of the tourists. Reports have suggested the pair were recovered from the water by a police helicopter and a third man, from Australia, was airlifted to hospital with serious head injuries. In a Facebook post, CapRescue, a helicopter emergency response team, said: 'Sunday's mission was a difficult one. 'At 2.17pm, emergency services were called to 1770 after reports three people had been swept out into the ocean. 'Multiple crews were tasked to the scene, including CapRescue. 'Despite the best efforts of all involved, two people tragically lost their lives. 'One patient was transported by air to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in a life-threatening condition.' A spokeswoman for the FCDO said: 'We are supporting the family of two British nationals who have died in Australia and are in contact with the local authorities.'
The Independent
14-04-2025
- The Independent
British man and teenager drown in incident near Australia's Great Barrier Reef
A 46-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy from Britain drowned after being swept into rough waters off the Queensland coast in Australia. They were swimming at Round Hill Head in the seaside town of Seventeen Seventy on Sunday when the incident occurred. Emergency services responded at around 2.15pm local time and deployed a rescue helicopter, but both individuals were declared dead at the scene. Police confirmed that the man and the teenager were visiting from the UK. While their names were not released, it was understood the victims were father and son. Authorities did not confirm if their family had been informed. A 37-year-old Australian man from Monto, a town some 150km inland, was also swept into the sea during the incident. He was rescued and airlifted to the Bundaberg Hospital with serious head injuries. The man was later transferred to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. The emergency medical service described Sunday's rescue mission as 'difficult'. 'Multiple crews were tasked to the scene,' CapRescue was quoted as saying by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Darren Everard from Surf Life Saving Queensland called the drowning 'an absolute tragedy'. The incident occurred during the local school holiday period, a time when tourist numbers usually swelled in the region, he noted. Mr Everard said authorities were still investigating. 'We're not sure whether the third person jumped into the water trying to perform a rescue,' he said. He also warned of the dangers along the area's coastline, especially near creeks and rocky headlands, during high tides and strong swells. 'It's chaos in the water,' he said, 'and sadly, that's where we have coastal fatalities in Australia.' Seventeen Seventy, nearly 500km north of Brisbane, and the neighbouring town of Agnes Water are known for their scenic beaches and proximity to the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef. The area attracts large numbers of both domestic and foreign tourists around Easter. In spite of their popularity, only one beach in the region, at Agnes Water, is patrolled by lifeguards. Mr Everard urged all visitors to swim only at patrolled beaches and to familiarise themselves with local conditions. 'Seek local knowledge,' he said, 'but you also need to go to where those flags are.' Australian beaches plant red and yellow flags to mark safe swimming zones. Wayne Mellock, a local surf shop owner, said the community was reeling from the tragedy. 'Situations like this are absolutely horrific,' he told ABC News. 'We have a very huge amount of international tourists in our town.' Police confirmed the drownings were being treated as non-suspicious and said a report would be prepared for the coroner.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
British father and son drown off Australian coast
A British father and son have reportedly drowned after they were swept out to sea off the coast of a popular Australian tourist town. The 46-year-old man and his 17-year-old son reportedly got into difficulty while swimming at a beach in Seventeen Seventy - named after the year Captain James Cook landed in Queensland. They were declared dead at the scene after being pulled from the water by a rescue helicopter. A third man, an Australian who is believed to have tried to rescue the pair, was taken to hospital after suffering head injuries, according to local media. CapRescue, the emergency service that conducted the operation on Sunday, said it "was a difficult one". "At 2.17pm, emergency services were called to 1770 after reports three people had been swept out into the ocean," they said in a statement on Facebook. Read more "Multiple crews were tasked to the scene, including CapRescue. Despite the best efforts of all involved, two people tragically lost their lives. "One patient was transported by air to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in a life-threatening condition. "Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this heartbreaking incident." Police confirmed the pair were visiting from the UK and said a report would be prepared for the coroner, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), while 7News reported they were father and son. The town, at the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef, draws visitors from around the world and is busy with tourists in the school holidays before Easter. Surf Life Saving Queensland's regional operations manager, Darren Everard, told ABC the deaths were "an absolute tragedy". "Around any of our creeks and headlands… especially on a high tide when there's a big swell, it's chaos in the water and… sadly, that's where we have coastal fatalities in Australia," he said. "I think everyone should just take that little bit of time when they go on holidays, and it doesn't matter where you are around Australia, seek local knowledge… but you also need to go to where those flags are." A foreign Office spokesperson said: "We are supporting the family of two British nationals who have died in Australia and are in contact with the local authorities."
Sky News
14-04-2025
- General
- Sky News
British father and son drown off Australian coast
A British father and son have reportedly drowned after they were swept out to sea off the coast of a popular Australian tourist town. The 46-year-old man and his 17-year-old son reportedly got into difficulty while swimming at a beach in Seventeen Seventy - named after the year Captain James Cook landed in Queensland. They were declared dead at the scene after being pulled from the water by a rescue helicopter. A third man, an Australian who is believed to have tried to rescue the pair, was taken to hospital after suffering head injuries, according to local media. CapRescue, the emergency service that conducted the operation on Sunday, said it "was a difficult one". "At 2.17pm, emergency services were called to 1770 after reports three people had been swept out into the ocean," they said in a statement on Facebook. "Multiple crews were tasked to the scene, including CapRescue. Despite the best efforts of all involved, two people tragically lost their lives. "One patient was transported by air to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in a life-threatening condition. "Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this heartbreaking incident." Police confirmed the pair were visiting from the UK and said a report would be prepared for the coroner, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), while 7News reported they were father and son. The town, at the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef, draws visitors from around the world and is busy with tourists in the school holidays before Easter. Surf Life Saving Queensland's regional operations manager, Darren Everard, told ABC the deaths were "an absolute tragedy". "Around any of our creeks and headlands… especially on a high tide when there's a big swell, it's chaos in the water and… sadly, that's where we have coastal fatalities in Australia," he said. "I think everyone should just take that little bit of time when they go on holidays, and it doesn't matter where you are around Australia, seek local knowledge… but you also need to go to where those flags are."
