A teenage girl is the first camper to benefit from a newly built helipad after the Toowoomba-based RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter crew landed on it to airlift her to hospital on Sunday 31 March.
It is believed the girl fell from a rope swing and broke her arm.
Thanks to the new infrastructure, which was only completed a few days ago, the helicopter was able to land safely close to where the incident occurred.
The pad was funded by Goomburra Valley Campground owners Brad and Teresa Badgery and was built in the campgrounds.
It ensures visitors enjoying the picturesque Goomburra Valley Campground and surrounding campsites will now have easy access to the RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter services, if needed.
RACQ LifeFlight Rescue Toowoomba-base lead Scott Nicholls praised the Southern Downs couple for funding the new helipad out of their own pockets.
“The Goomburra area, where the campgrounds are located, can be over a two-hour drive to Brisbane hospitals and a one and half hour drive to Toowoomba hospital,” Mr Nicholls said.
“We have had some missions where it has been difficult to find a suitable landing area close to the patient due to limited suitable sites or wet conditions, making it difficult to safely land and shut down.”
“After a lot of rain, it can be impossible to land at some locations so having a prepared and known area to land will save valuable time and be an asset for the emergency services and the campers around that area.
“As we know, accidents and medical emergencies can happen to anyone, at any time.”
Brad Badgery understands how crucial aeromedical care is after he was airlifted after a fall in a remote part of Queensland almost a decade ago.
“The helicopter got me to the closest ICU,” he said.
“Anyone who lives in rural and regional areas understand the need for access to a medical helicopter service.”
“This is our little piece of paradise.”
“And now people enjoying it, can have total peace-of-mind that they have full access to the very best aeromedical care around.”
Brad and Teresa, who own the campground on the banks of Dalrymple Creek, have been fundraising for LifeFlight for three years.
The Allora Butcher meat raffle they market to campsite guests every week has so far raised over $30,000 for the Toowoomba LifeFlight base.
LifeFlight Toowoomba base has used these funds to buy safety and aeromedical equipment.
