Helicopter Crash Survivors Praise CareFlight

0:00It's April 11th. This is Sydney News Today, your AI-powered local news. Back in 2019, a helicopter crashed hard in Kakadu National Park during a feral horse call near gun-long falls. Ranger Fred Hunter, Pilot, and another Ranger Ian Conroy were chasing the animals when the engines suddenly failed, slamming them into the ground. The rotors snapped clean through the cabin, slicing gear and leaving all three badly hurt but alive. Ranger woke up covered in blood and fuel, with the pilots head in his lap and the motor pinning them down. He pulled himself free, dragged the pilot out, activated an emergency beacon, but then collapsed as his back and leg seized. That's when meat ants started biting his exposed calf. His trousers hit a gash up to his groin. Just over an hour later, care flight choppers arrived, winshing medics down to treat and lift the men out. Ranger called it surreal, staring up at the blades while dangling, terrified after his own crash.

1:00They all made it to Darwin Hospital, patched up and recovering. This story resurfaced as care flight marked its 20th anniversary in the Northern Territory, boasting over 100,000 missions. General manager, Jody Mills Mitchell says, locals now say they've been care-flighted, showing how vital they've become in remote spots. Hunter, a 30-year Kakadu vet, credits their lightning response for saving lives in places like Arnhemland, and vast outback like that, quick air rescues make all the difference.