RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter airlifted a man stung on the face by an Irukandji jellyfish in Whitsunday waters in one of seven missions across last weekend for the region’s dedicated air rescue service.
The 41-year-old New South Wales man was stung on the face by the venomous jellyfish while swimming at Hamilton Island on March 3.
The RACQ CQ Rescue onboard medical team were tasked by Queensland Health with retrieving anti-venom for the patient from Mackay Base Hospital at about 9.45 AM on Friday before flying 90 kilometres north to Hamilton Island airport.
The patient, who was holidaying in the Whitsundays, was in “considerable pain” and suffering symptoms of the potentially deadly Irukandji syndrome when the helicopter crew arrived.
He was quickly transferred to Mackay Base Hospital in a serious condition.
In a further Whitsunday mission, the first on Sunday night, the helicopter rescue crew were tasked by Queensland Health with the transfer of a seriously ill patient from Proserpine to Mackay Base Hospital with a respiratory condition.
In nearby Ayr, an elderly man was airlifted after falling from a roof at 11.45 AM Monday.
The 73-year-old Ayr man was flown to Townsville University Hospital with suspected broken bones and serious internal injuries and is now in a serious but stable condition.
The RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter landed at Hamilton Island airport to airlift a marine sting victim to Mackay Base Hospital
