IT is a service no one thinks they will need until the moment comes when they are in trouble. Snowy Hydro SouthCare is there in times of emergency transporting patients from country areas to hospital saving precious time and often credited for saving lives.
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On October 27 2012 the the world of Wallendbeen’s Bassingthwaighte family was turned upside down.
Three-year-old Jack had been accidentally run over by his mum Diana on the ride-on mower causing considerable damage to his foot.
Diana immediately rang emergency services and with Jack wrapped in bandages in the car set off to meet the Ambulance.
Jack’s dad Toby, who had been working in Young that day, raced back and along with paramedics met them on the highway.
Jack was transported to Cootamundra Hospital with what was essentially a hole in his foot and a number of crushed bones. Fortunately the accident did not sever any tendons.
In total seven operations were required to reconstruct Jack’s foot and amazingly today, he has full use of his feet with only a scar to tell from his tale.
The story could have been very different if not for the swift response of a Snowy Hydro SouthCare crew already in the area. The chopper, complete with pilot, co-pilot and two paramedics was able to land at Cootamundra Hospital after Jack had been transported there by Ambulance.
“We were very blessed it came so quickly,” Diana said.
Toby piled into the chopper with Jack while Diana met them in Canberra.
Toby had nothing but praise for the Snowy Hydro SouthCare crew saying they were incredibly efficient.
“They monitored him the whole time, their biggest worry was whether a tendon had been cut, if that had been the case there is about six hours after which the use of the tendon will not recover,” Toby said.
Fortunately the tendons were safe but Jack’s foot was in a bad way.
They administered him with enough medication to stop the pain as much as possible without knocking him out.
The chopper flight took about 45 minutes with Toby full of praise for the crew.
“They were excellent, I could not fault them,” Toby said.
“I don’t know what we would have done without the service, they were absolutely fabulous,” Diana reiterated.
Weeks in hospital and a further recovery period at home saw Jack regain full use of his feet.
The Snowy Hydro service is held in high esteem across the district and next Saturday, November 8, a fundraising ‘Triple Zero Ball’ will be held for the charity in Temora, hosted by the Temora Police Community Committee.
Snowy Hydro SouthCare isn’t Government funded so events, like the ball are the only way the service remains in the air.
One of the organisers Sergeant Dave Abercrombie said Snowy Hydro SouthCare was the obvious choice of charity to support.
“We have the CEO Owen Finegan - who many will know as a former Wallaby great - coming to MC the night,” Sgt Abercrombie said.
“It’s the perfect opportunity to learn more about
the chopper, what it does and the areas it covers,” he added.
The committee behind the ball have organised some great prizes including a signed Penrith Panthers jersey, signed GWS football, Gai Waterhouse memorabilia and two holidays, one to Bawley Point and another to the Gold Coast.
The ball is on November 8 at the Temora Ex-Services Memorial Club, tickets are $100 including three-course meal, drinks, entertainment and donation to Snowy Hydro SouthCare service.
For further information, tickets or to make a donation to the cause contact 0402 618 891.