When locating an injured motorcycle accident victim in remote scrubland proved difficult, NT Police turned to a young Territory boy to lead the rescue mission.
St John NT Territory Deployment Manager, Bridie Morley, was working in the Emergency Communications Centre while NT Police were trying to locate a man who had crashed his motorcycle and sustained serious injuries in a remote area of Herbert.
Bridie identified the scrubland location as being where her 12-year-old son, Beau, frequently rode his quadbike, and knew he had an intimate knowledge of the area.
“I was complaining to mum about missing out on Maccas, and she asked if I could help the Police with their search and rescue effort,” Beau recalled. “I said I was happy to help!”
NT Police met Beau at their nearby property, where he lent them a spare quadbike and led the way to the patient.
“It was a wet, boggy drive. When we got to the accident, the guy was pretty much just lying there in waist-deep water,” Beau said.
“There can be drop-offs in the water, and sometimes crocodiles,” Beau explained.
“It was a pretty intense situation, but I felt like a superhero knowing I helped the police reach the guy.
“They were really thankful, and I don’t think they would’ve gotten there without me.”
Bridie Morley added, “There was a lot going on, rescuing the patient as well as the extent of their injuries”.
“I did consider whether I was doing the right thing exposing my child to this scenario, but for Beau to step up and be an aid to the police is just amazing. I couldn’t be prouder.”
Police commended the efforts of Beau, Bridie and the others involved in the emergency response.
When asked if he’d like to follow in his mother’s footsteps and pursue work as an emergency responder, Beau said, “Working in emergency services would definitely be an option”.
Beau and Bridie’s unconventional solution reminds us that sometimes all it takes to help in someone’s time of need is a willingness to lend a hand and a trusty quadbike.
