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A father detained his son bleeding to death after a motorcycle accident on a farm using his bare hands to hold an artery until help arrived.
The Shearer family was having a normal day locked up on their Te Kūiti property on April 4 when 10-year-old Oliver collided with a dry sheep furrow on his motorcycle that gave way.
The bike slid under him. His lower body slammed into the top of the bike and the peg of his foot went through the inner thigh, ripping the femoral artery.
Fortunately, his father, Craig Shearer, was only seconds away from his son, and he immediately rushed to his aid.
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Oliver’s thigh was gushing blood, convincing Shearer that a major artery had been torn.
At that rate, it was a matter of seconds before his blood loss was fatal.
Due to the first aid training and experience Shearer had from his role as a contracted helicopter pilot, he knew he had to urgently stop the bleeding.
Shearer grasped the torn skin on either side of Oliver’s deep wound and pulled them together, forming a brace with his hands.
During this time, her daughter Helena had alerted Mom, Marama, who called 111.
An ambulance was dispatched immediately, arriving at the property within minutes.
Despite his serious injury and significant blood loss, Oliver remained calm and quiet at all times, comforted by his father, who tirelessly held his fragile wound together.
Although local ambulance personnel were present, Shearer was reluctant to loosen his firm grip on Oliver’s wound, aware that further loss of blood could cost his son his life.
Once assured he was safe, the ambulance paramedic took over and confirmed that Oliver’s horrific saucer-sized wound required urgent surgical attention.
By road, the hour-long drive to the Waikato hospital could endanger Oliver’s life, which meant it was essential to request a quick air transfer.
With the local fire brigade now in place, the Waikato Westpac rescue helicopter arrived minutes later, prolonged by strict Covid-19 safety procedures.
Although he was a pilot himself, he piloted his own helicopter regularly, the familiar sound of a helicopter changed for Shearer that day.
“The severity of the rescue helicopter’s ability to save my son’s life and bring him to the safety of surgeons was overwhelming,” he said.
“When I saw the Waikato Westpac rescue helicopter, it was like a steel stallion in the sky.
“Then I saw the familiar face of his fellow pilot and partner, Loren, and I knew my son was in good hands.”
An aspiring pilot and helicopter enthusiast, when the helicopter landed, Oliver declared “look, I’m going to the hospital on the BK-117”.
Once landed, the Intensive Care Paramedic prepared Oliver for his transfer, sedated him and supported his mother who was accompanying him on board.
Eight minutes after takeoff, the helicopter arrived at Waikato Hospital, delivering Oliver to the safety of the receiving medical team.
He had three surgical sessions, including a popliteal femoral bypass, spending more than 14 hours in surgery with the vascular team.
After some time in the high-observation unit, Oliver spent the week in the hospital recovering with his mother by his side.
Due to Alert Level 4 restrictions, their father and sister were unable to join them, making things difficult for the united family.
Oliver has since undergone further surgery and is recovering well, but the long-term effects of the damage to his vascular system are unknown.
The family said they are forever grateful for the vital community service that Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter provides and the qualified medical flight team behind it.
