Motorcyclist Reunited with the Crew that Saved his Life

Five months into his rehabilitation, Cardell proudly walked into the Toowoomba base and met with the crew who airlifted him after a routine dirt bike ride nearly turned fatal.

Last September Cardell, 43, a Kingaroy local, was riding through the forest trails between Cherbourg and Murgon when the throttle of his dirt bike suddenly jammed and he was thrown over the handlebars into a hard, dry creek bed.

The quick thinking action of Cardell’s brother-in-law helped to save his life. Despite his serious injuries, Cardell was doubled onto the back of the second bike and rushed to Cherbourg Hospital. His only chance of survival was an emergency airlift from Cherbourg by the Toowoomba RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter to the Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital. 

When the Toowoomba base received the call, Dr El-Rabih remembers thinking Cardell might not survive the 40 minutes it would take for the helicopter to fly to Cherbourg. 

“I remember speaking with one of the crew and they said, ‘we won’t make it in time,’” recalled Dr El-Rabih.

When they arrived Dr El-Rabih realised Cardell was suffering from twelve fractured ribs on the left-hand side of his body, a punctured lung and several broken vertebrae. His chest wall had been completely cracked.

“Once I saw him from the door of the emergency room I knew what I had to do…it’s not easy to forget such a serious case,” he said.

“To be able to meet the rescue crew who literally saved my life was an extremely emotional event for my wife, my children and myself.

“We felt it was important for the rescue crew to realise how much they are respected and cherished. It should give them a great sense of accomplishment and joy to see families reunited with loved ones who were once critical patients.”

Cardell is slowly recovering and looking forward to going back to work as a mechanical fitter next month.