Returning With Gratitude

Senior Constable Returns To Thank Hospital Staff After Life-Changing Crash

By Hannah McNamara

In a moving act of gratitude and resilience, five years after a devastating traffic crash near Calen left him almost completely blind, Queensland Police Service officer Senior Constable John Kenworthy has returned to Mackay.

His visit carried great significance, not only to thank the Mackay Base Hospital Emergency Department staff who treated him and his wife, but also to reconnect with the community where his life changed forever.

Senior Constable Kenworthy said he recalls his time working in Mackay like it was yesterday.

“The reason we came up to Mackay was as a work promotion, a specialist role… in the road policing unit, near highway patrol,” he said. “I loved the working environment. I loved the office.

“I loved the locals – the Mackay locals are fantastic.”

On the day of the crash in 2020, he was riding a police motorcycle when he responded to a call.

“I’ve left the road, gone through a barb wire fence, which has come up into the helmet and caused both of my eyes to rupture.”

“From that moment I’ve become blind as a result.”

Flown to Brisbane for specialist care, he spent months in hospital. Listening back to his helmet camera later inspired him to reconnect with those who helped him that day.

“They didn’t choose to be on that road at that time, neither did I, but for whatever reason our paths crossed,” he said.

“They’ve all graciously accepted to come and meet me… it was just the fact that we were coming back up that I’d also like to close that circle.”

Visiting Mackay Base Hospital again for the first time since the crash, he described the reunion as moving.

“It was just overwhelming, they were so engaged, and interested to hear my story.

Despite the challenges he now faces, his commitment to serving as a police officer hasn’t withered.

“I still work as a sworn police officer in Brisbane. I still go to work and contribute to the organisation, which I’m really proud of.”

And now, he has turned his experience into purpose, by championing the message of road safety.

“You often think about the fatality rate as a number on the news every night… but it’s more than a number.

“It’s a family affected for the rest of their life.

“I just wonder when, as a community, we’re gonna wake up and say ‘we really need to look at this in a different light.’”

His wife, Sarah, recalled the first moments she heard of the crash.

“The phone rang and it was a police officer that was on site with John… he said ‘your husband’s got a tiny scratch on his face.’”

“He said ‘we’re taking him to hospital though, he should be fine…’”

“I’m grateful the officer said that, because it really kept me calm until I could process what had actually happened.”

“As I approached the Emergency Department today I actually burst into tears…it brought back a lot of really tough memories.”

Senior Sergeant Shane Edwards, Mackay Whitsunday District Highway Patrol Officer in Charge, said John’s resilience has inspired colleagues across the state.

“As you would expect, the entire office was devastated when we heard the extent of John’s injuries… most people would probably curl up into a ball, but John’s just out there doing everything he can.

“He inspires not only myself, but everybody in the office and it’s always a joy to see him.

“He’s just truly an inspirational man and Sarah’s a truly inspirational woman.”

For Senior Constable Kenworthy, gratitude remains at the heart of this return for those who assisted him on that fateful day.

“They are heroes. There’s no doubt about it.”

“I just thank them all... I don’t know how to put it into words.”

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Senior Constable John Kenworthy and wife Sarah Kenworthy paid Mackay Base Hospital a visit, in gratitude and honour of the assistance they received on the day of the crash. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara

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