A group of Margaret River St John Ambulance officers have been hailed heroes after a horseriding accident left two children injured.
Four-year-old Finn McLeod was bowled over on a property on Caves Road in January after teenage family friend Leticia took a fall off her horse.
The startled horse bolted, and Finn’s mother Rachel House said in the ensuing rush to help the fallen girl, it was not immediately noticed that the youngster had been kicked.
“We’re still not exactly sure how he was hit and at what point, but he was obviously unwell and was bleeding,” she said.
Margaret River officers Ross Hastie, Kath McGowan and Jodie Blackman joined Geraldton-based officer Kurt Mayerhofer and then-trainee (now Level 1) officer Samara Thompson on the call.
I couldn’t believe how fast they arrived and how efficient they were, I have a new respect for our local emergency services.
- Rachel House
St John Ambulance officer Kath McGowan said the location of the incident as well as the availability of highly trained ambulance officers aided in Finn’s prognosis.
“We had two very skilled teams of officers who were able to get out to the property very quickly – the first of us went to attend to Leticia and then when we discovered little Finn was also injured it became important that we had another crew to help attend to both children,” Ms McGowan said.
The teenage girl was assessed and monitored for spinal injuries and received a number of broken bones in the fall, but is recovering well, while Finn received a concussion and lacerations to his face and is fully recovered.
“Finn was treated by the ambulance officers before being transferred to Margaret River Hospital and then to Princess Margaret Hospital,” explained Ms House.
"We are very very lucky to have such a dedicated bunch of people who were so readily available to help us.
“I couldn’t believe how fast they arrived and how efficient they were, I have a new respect for our local emergency services!”
Ms House said the incident had made the family realise there were gaps in their first aid skills and that they planned to complete the first aid course to boost their knowledge.
The family also made a donation to the Margaret River sub branch following the accident.
“It's absolutely important that people know what to do in those situations, you know, we’re around horses and all sorts of animals, we’re driving and swimming at the beach, we all need to know what to do if something goes wrong.”
Community paramedic Dane Hendry said locals keen to update their first aid skills could take part in regular courses in the region by contacting (08) 9757 3333 or visiting www.facebook.com/mriverambulance
Nicky Lefebvre
I am a journalist, photographer and content creator based in the beautiful Margaret River wine region, covering all aspects of our community including local news, sport, entertainment and events, as well as providing a platform for our readers to share their voices direct from regional Australia.
I am a journalist, photographer and content creator based in the beautiful Margaret River wine region, covering all aspects of our community including local news, sport, entertainment and events, as well as providing a platform for our readers to share their voices direct from regional Australia.
