Nine people have been airlifted to hospital overnight after their car rolled six times on a remote road in the community of Galiwinku shortly before 5pm yesterday evening.
CareFlight, operating the Top End Medical Retrieval Service on behalf of the Northern Territory Government, sent four fixed wing aircraft to the area with four flight nurses and a doctor on-board.
CareFlight’s Flight Nurses and Doctor provided initial treatment for the patients at the scene, before transporting them to Gove District Hospital and Royal Darwin Hospital.
Three patients were transported to Gove District Hospital with various injuries, including head and leg injuries.
The remaining six patients were taken to Royal Darwin hospital, also with a range of injuries including head and back injuries.
Ten people were in the car when it crashed and rolled off the road.
CareFlight’s Northern Operations Manager, Jodie Mills, stressed the importance of keeping safe on Territory roads.
“The Territory road toll is now almost double what it was at this same time last year, and our crews have retrieved more than 40 casualties since the start of the year,” Jodie Mills said.
“Every motor vehicle crash affects a family and loved ones; they also take their toll on emergency service crews who attend the scene and those who coordinate the mission from afar.
“I can’t stress enough the importance of wearing seatbelts, adhering to the road rules, and driving to the conditions, especially now we are entering the wet season.”
CareFlight’s crew thanked the clinic staff and emergency services for their early assistance.
