Woman airlifted after paddock burning backfires
Woman airlifted after paddock burning backfires
18 August 2008
published by www.brisbanetimes.com.au
Australia — A woman was airlifted to hospital after a back-burning lighter she was carrying exploded, burning her face, neck and hands.
The 30-year-old was working in a paddock on a station about 200 kilometres north-west of Mackay about 4pm yesterday when the burner’s fuel tin blew up in her hands.
Paramedics from Mackay’s RACQ-CQ Rescue station flew to the farm and then airlifted her to nearby Glenden where medical staff administered pain relief and transported her in a stable condition to the Mackay Base hospital.
Authorities across the state have been conducting major hazard reduction burning ahead of what is tipped to be Queensland’s worst bushfire season in 15 years.
Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts earlier this month warned property owners to be fire-ready, after floods and heavy rains caused vegetation to flourish, providing ample fuel for wild fires.
The bushfire season officially began on August 1.
