Queensland teen who lost leg in horrific farming accident reunites with rescuers
Ned reunited with the aeromedical crew who saved his life. RACQ LifeFlight
It was one of the most gruesome injuries paramedics had ever seen.
Toowoomba teenager Ned Desbrow was operating a heavy logging vehicle on a property in Tara last year when his left leg was brutally pulled into the drum of a wire-line winch.
The 18-year-old attempted to release the line to free his leg, but instead it kept pulling his limb into the machine.
Ned and his mother in hospital after his accident. RACQ LifeFlight
"It kept on pulling and basically got up to my hip, until there was only 100mm left of my femur," Ned told RACQ's LifeFlight.
A raft of emergency medical services urgently raced to Ned's location, including two RACQ LifeFlight aeromedical crews, QAS paramedics, firefighters and local doctors.
Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) Flight Paramedic, Peter Scullett-Dean, said the severity of the injury caught everyone by surprise.
"From his toe, all the way up to the upper-third of his thigh, was entwined onto the winch drum," he said.
Paramedics worked for hours to free Ned's leg before the decision was made to amputate the limb in the field while he was still connected to the machine.
RACQ LifeFlight Rescue Critical Care Doctor, Martin Londahl, didn't pull any punches about the risks of conducting major surgery in a paddock.
"His chances of making it through were very, very slim," said Dr Londahl.
Lifesaving major surgery was performed on Ned as he was still stuck in the machinery. RACQ LifeFlight
"We said that what we would do, is get everything set up and optimise it, as much as we can, give him the absolute best shot we can and we did.
"We succeeded and it's absolutely amazing."
Ned's mother Melita Carlyon was on the phone to emergency services as the life-saving surgery took place.
"They said that, because of the blood loss, there was a high chance he could die," said Ms Carlyon.
"He said to me, that day on the phone, he said 'Mum, I'm not going to die,' and he proved it."
The next day Ned woke up in hospital – missing a leg, but alive.
Ned has now started his own clothing brand "Funky Gs". RACQ LifeFlight
The 18-year-old told RACQ LifeFlight, as he reunited with his rescuers, that he is determined to live a long, normal life.
"I've always wanted to be remembered by something and not leave the world, without making my mark, and that's exactly what this accident has done for me," said Ned.
"It's inspired me."
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