Flight paramedic and Kerang man reunite after horrific dirt bike crash

A Kerang man who suffered serious head injuries in a dirt bike crash has thanked Ambulance Victoria (AV) for saving his life last year.

Lachlan Ferrari was staying with friends in southern New South Wales (NSW) in November 2021, when he lost control of his bike at high-speed.

NSW and AV paramedics were called to Thule, NSW, to find Lachlan lying on the side of the road suffering serious head and facial injuries and a major haemorrhage.

Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) flight paramedic Steven Sault was among paramedics from AV and NSW Ambulance that came to Lachlan’s aid.

“Lachlan’s mates did the right thing calling Triple Zero (000) immediately, and they were quite distressed and emotional by the time we arrived on scene,” Steven said.

“NSW paramedics arrived on scene first and cut off Lachlan’s clothes before an on-road AV single officer arrived, followed by me in the air ambulance helicopter.”

NSW and AV road crews helped treat Lachlan at the scene before Steven managed his care while enroute to The Alfred Hospital.

AV’s five helicopters ensure rural communities have rapid access to our highest level of care and transport to major specialist care in the Melbourne metropolitan region, particularly for severe trauma patients – like Lachlan – as part of the state trauma system.

The air ambulance fleet, which also includes four fixed-wing planes, responded to 7,707 incidents in 2020-2021 – nearly 1,000 cases more than the previous year.

Janelle and her family are eternally grateful to the paramedics who responded to her son. Lachlan survived thanks to their quick actions and excellent clinical care, and recently celebrated his 22nd birthday.

“Given the extensive injuries Lachlan had suffered, including the severe head trauma, our family was told he would suffer ongoing injuries, but a few months later he’s almost fully recovered, and it’s all thanks to the paramedics on the day,” Lachlan’s mum, Janelle Flannagan, said.

Lachlan said he was pleased to have had the opportunity to meet Steven.

“I’m feeling just like I was before really…thank you very much for saving my life.”

Steven said the last thing paramedics wanted was for someone to end up in the back of an ambulance or in hospital because of a collision.

“Accidents don’t just affect those who are injured but have a major impact on others around them including the family and the paramedics, police and firefighters who attend these cases,” he said.