Ambulance Victoria is calling on Victorians to take extra care and plan ahead as school holidays approach, with emergency crews warning that outdoor activities can quickly turn serious without the right preparation.
The advice follows a recent incident involving 69-year-old rider Gary, who was airlifted from a remote fire trail in Buckland after a crash left him with fractures to his pelvis and spine, broken ribs and whiplash. Gary and his stepson Drew had been riding when they took a wrong turn onto a steep gravel track unsuited to their motorcycles.
Unable to move Gary due to the terrain and his injuries, Drew called Triple Zero (000). A coordinated response followed, involving Ambulance Victoria, VICSES and Victoria Police, with an Air Ambulance Victoria crew winching paramedics into the location through dense tree cover and difficult conditions. A specialist team provided on-site care before Gary was airlifted to an airfield and then transported by road to the Royal Melbourne Hospital. He spent 10 days in hospital before returning home.
Gary said the experience showed how quickly things can change, even for experienced riders. He encouraged others to stick to planned routes, avoid unfamiliar terrain, and take steps to make their location easier to identify in an emergency.
AV Acting Hume Area Manager Adrian Pace said many people heading into rural or remote areas underestimate how difficult it can be for emergency services to locate them. He recommended using the EmergencyPlus app, which uses GPS to provide an exact address and coordinates, along with the What3Words system that can pinpoint a location within a few square metres.
He also suggested carrying a personal locator beacon for trips in more isolated areas, noting that it can send an emergency signal via satellite when activated.
Adrian said preparation is key regardless of the activity. He encouraged people to check conditions before setting out, carry essentials such as water, food, a torch, sunscreen and basic first aid supplies, and ensure they are dressed appropriately for the environment. He also stressed the importance of choosing routes that match a person’s fitness and experience.
Telling someone about your plans and expected return time is another simple but important step, he added. Checking the VicEmergency app or website before and during travel can also help people stay informed about incidents and warnings in the area.
Ambulance Victoria’s air ambulance service plays a central role in responding to incidents in hard-to-reach locations across the state. Its Helicopter Emergency Medical Service, supported by highly trained MICA flight paramedics, can access remote terrain and provide advanced care on scene. The service retrieves and transports around 6,000 patients each year, using helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft to get people to hospital as quickly as possible.
The organisation’s air operations are supported by Babcock Australasia, which provides pilots, aircrew and engineers to help maintain round-the-clock coverage across Victoria and surrounding waters.
As holidaymakers prepare to head outdoors, Ambulance Victoria’s message is clear: plan ahead, know your limits, and make sure help can find you if something goes wrong.
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