The Bundaberg-based LifeFlight aeromedical crew flew a record number of missions in the Wide Bay-Burnett region in 2024 including numerous airlifts from K’gari.
The crew helped 298 people overall in 2024, up nearly 14 per cent on 2023 with missions lifting by 7 per cent to a new record of 440.
Statistics released this week show Bundaberg contributed to a record year for LifeFlight, which came to the aid of 8,477 people in 2024.
The figure was 13 per cent higher than 2023 and more than any other year in the not-for-profit’s history.
Servicing the Wide Bay-Burnett region and beyond, the helicopter was called out to a wide range of emergencies including motor vehicle crashes, search and rescues and animal-related injuries.
Alongside the Sunshine Coast-based crew, they were kept busy with missions to K’gari to airlift 48 patients including snake bite victims, Irukandji stings, injured tourists and capsized boaties.
LifeFlight Chief Operating Officer Lee Schofield said the Bundaberg crew attended a range of emergencies in 2024.
“Our aeromedical crews can be tasked to everything from motor vehicle crashes, farming accidents to search and rescues, all in the one day,” Mr Schofield said.
“It is why our crews are trained to handle all eventualities and are adept at managing complex missions.
“Queensland’s strong population growth combined with our expanded capabilities mean we are called on more to help Queenslanders whenever and wherever we are needed.
“It is why we are investing in new training programs, AW139 helicopters and bases in the regions where we operate.”
LifeFlight crew keep training
He said this year LifeFlight would also expand its free First Minutes Matter trauma training workshops across the state.
“This is an important step in improving community resilience, especially at a time when the number of patients needing help grows year on year,” Mr Schofield said.
LifeFlight Chief Medical Officer Dr Allan MacKillop, said aeromedical crews were ready to help with a vast range of medical emergencies in some of the remotest parts of the state.
“Our medical staff undergo intensive aeromedical training at the LifeFlight Training Academy, including Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET), rescue winching and clinical scenario training, so they are ready for any eventuality,” Dr MacKillop said.
“They can be called out to administer emergency medicine under the most trying circumstances, such as wild weather, or the aftermath of a multi vehicle car accident.
“It is why our helicopters are fitted out as mobile intensive care units with specially designed medical equipment for life-saving care, whether that is operating 35,000 feet above the ground in a Challenger jet or in the back of a helicopter.
“This aeromedical intervention can be the difference between life and death, significantly increasing a patient’s chance of survival, so it is vitally important.”
LifeFlight’s helicopter crews, operating from bases on the Sunshine Coast, Bundaberg, Mount Isa, Toowoomba, Roma, and Brisbane, clocked up 3,534 missions, which included airlifting injured motorists, patients with cardiac problems, seafarers, hikers, and farmers injured by animals.
The number of missions was 24 per cent higher than 2023 while flight hours also increased by 20 per cent to 5,551.
As in previous years, much of LifeFlight’s aeromedical work involved Inter-Facility Transfers (IFT) or moving patients between medical facilities.
This ensures all communities have equal access to the best possible healthcare, no matter where they live.
LifeFlight has helped more than 90,000 people since its inception in 1979.
