A Wheatbelt family has shared their profound gratitude for the Royal Flying Doctors Service, one year after a terrifying motorbike accident left their 10-year-old son with serious injuries. The family's thank you took the form of a remarkable community fundraiser that generated a staggering $130,000 for the vital outback service.
A Freak Accident on the Family Farm
The incident occurred on December 10, 2024, on the McPherson family's farm in Gillingarra, roughly 30 kilometres south of Moora. Ten-year-old Gus McPherson, an experienced rider, was out on his motorbike with his teenage sister, Georgie. As dusk began to fall, Gus looked over his shoulder to check on his sister and, in a moment of distraction, collided at full speed with a metal gate.
"He just hit it full pelt, straight into the metal gate, probably about 60 to 70km/h," his mother, Erin McPherson, recalled. The impact resulted in a broken tibia and fibula. Alarm bells rang when Georgie returned home alone, prompting a family search. Gus was found on a small trail about 3km from the house, in significant pain and showing signs of potential concussion.
The Critical RFDS Flight to Perth
After initial treatment at Moora Hospital, concerns about internal injuries necessitated a transfer to Perth Children's Hospital. The following morning, the Royal Flying Doctors Service was tasked with the urgent airlift. For Erin McPherson, boarding the RFDS plane brought an immediate sense of calm amidst the crisis.
"He was in so much pain on the road, but going onto the flight he was just so comfortable, which is a luxury isn't it?" she said. RFDS doctor Mohammad Albiaty, who helped treat Gus, highlighted the complexity of such injuries, especially in children, where internal damage can be a hidden threat.
"With kids, there's an added weight," Dr. Albiaty explained. "You do everything by the book, but you're very aware of the emotion behind the situation for everyone involved."
Full Recovery and a Heartfelt Fundraiser
One year on, the now 11-year-old Gus has made a full recovery. He is back playing cricket and even riding his motorbike again, albeit with a newfound caution. "He takes it a little easier which is a good thing because it slows him down and he realises what can happen," his mother noted.
Driven by immense gratitude, Erin McPherson organised a local fundraising run earlier this year to give back to the RFDS. The event saw 160 participants run 26 kilometres from the family farm to the local pub, raising an incredible $130,000.
"(The RFDS) have become family," Ms McPherson said. "They're such an incredible service, all the staff are just so passionate and we're just so lucky to have them." The story underscores the indispensable role the RFDS plays for rural and remote communities across Western Australia, turning a family's worst nightmare into a testament of community spirit and lifesaving care.
