Chopper pilot survives fire ordeal thanks to urgent RFDS response

Michael Tomlinson, an outback Queensland cattleman, was out mustering when his helicopter crashed and erupted in flames. After running 800 metres to a trough, which wasn’t cool enough, he was found by his brother, laying in a ‘turkey’s nest’ – used to pump bore water – with severe burns all over his body.

Mr Tomlinson’s brother raised the alarm with the local Augathella Ambulance Service, while his father waited with him at the site.

After stabilising Mr Tomlinson and transporting him to the Augathella Hospital, the ambulance notified the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), whose Charleville crew took just 12 minutes to reach him, stabilise him further, and fly him to Brisbane.

He was suffering burns to 60 percent of his body.

“I knew I was in a lot of pain, but I didn’t think I was in a life-threatening situation initially. Once my veins started to collapse, I figured things weren’t too good,” Mr Tomlinson said.

Mr Tomlinson’s story is one of many that have been explored in RFDS’s latest podcast series, The Flying Doctor, which we proudly support.

We’re shining a spotlight on the enthralling behind-the-scenes stories of survival from patients, pilots and flight nurses.

Listen to the full story

You can listen to Mr Tomlinson’s full story here.

The episode is titled “How did Michael survive burns to more than 60% of his body”.