Tim Haslam Bushfire Survivor Reunites with RAC Rescue crew

The story

Back in December 2023 Tim came across a bushfire on his farm in Popanyinning, making him jump into action trying to stop the fire from spreading and damaging the 10,000 acre cropping program, that only had left two days to go. Like all bushfires, they can be unpredictable, and unfortuantely for Tim the wind speed and direction changed leading to a much more serious incident.

Realising that the fire had gotten out of hand, Tim got back into his ute to get away from the flames, and unexpectedly the ute become bogged, along with a flat tyre. Panicking Tim jumped out and began to run, before tripping on his shoe and landing hands-first into the fire. The heat and intensity of the fire resulted in Tim suffering with severe burns to 38% of his body.

That's when local volunteer St John Ambulance paramedics were called to the scene, to help treat and cool the burns as soon as possible. Given the severity of Tim's injuries, the call taker dispatched the RAC Rescue helicopter, with the hopes that it would get Tim to Fiona Stanley hospital as soon as possible, to receive life-saving treatment.

Onboard the helicopter

The helicopter was took to the air at 2:51pm from Bunbury Airport to make its way to Popanyinning landing at the farm at 3:48pm. Onboard the RAC Rescue helicopter was Critical Care Paramedic Josh and Pilot Chris, both with over 10 years experience operating on the RAC Rescue helicopter.

Chris the Pilot recollected that the day had numerous challenges, including communicating with the local fire units responding to the fire, managing a helicopter landing in hot conditions and navigating the lowered visibility caused by the bushfire smoke.

<video>

‍

Josh the Critical Care Paramedic remembers that severity of Tim's burns, and said that the

<video>

‍

‍Reunited

Thankfully for everyone that was involved in helping Tim back, he has made a full recovery. Watch the video below to hear his story, and the moment that he reunited with the RAC Rescue crew.