A dramatic 13-hour rescue mission unfolded off the central Queensland coast after an injured fisherman became stranded aboard a trawler in dangerous sea conditions, forcing LifeFlight crews to battle strong winds, rough swell and fuel challenges to bring him safely back to shore.
The emergency operation began on Sunday morning when rescue crews received reports that a fisherman in his 60s had broken his leg aboard a fishing trawler located about 110 nautical miles off the Capricorn Coast. The isolated location immediately complicated the mission, with rescuers facing limited fuel windows, rough weather and long flying distances throughout the day.
The Bundy crew have carried out a 13-hour offshore rescue of an injured fisherman, 110 nautical miles off the Qld coast. An RCO and QAS critical care paramedic were winched onto the vessel, with rough seas forcing a complex island transfer.
— LifeFlight (@LifeFlight_Aus) May 25, 2026
Tasked by @QldAmbulance pic.twitter.com/ejqCwySRIX
Bundaberg-based pilot Alex Dorr later described it as the most challenging rescue mission of his career after nearly two decades working in emergency aviation.
“After 15 to 20 years in the game, it was absolutely a stand-out,” Mr Dorr said.
The LifeFlight helicopter travelled almost 1,000 kilometres during the operation, making multiple refuelling stops while coordinating with the trawler crew and emergency responders onshore.
Rough seas forced rescuers to change plans
When the helicopter finally reached the vessel, the conditions at sea were extremely difficult. A flight care paramedic and rescue crew member had to be winched onto the moving trawler deck in strong winds and moderate swell.
Mr Dorr said safely placing rescue personnel on the back of the boat was one of the hardest parts of the operation.
After stabilising the injured fisherman onboard, the rescue crew realised they needed extra medical equipment. The helicopter returned to Gladstone to refuel before flying another 90 nautical miles offshore to deliver additional gear.
The team also had to constantly monitor fuel reserves while reviewing backup rescue plans because worsening sea conditions could have forced major changes at any moment.
“There was a constant juggling of how long we’d have on scene, what we were going to be able to do given the sea state, and a lot of backup plans,” Mr Dorr explained.
One of those backup plans eventually became necessary. Rescuers initially hoped to winch the injured fisherman directly into the helicopter, but rough ocean conditions made the manoeuvre too dangerous.
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Heron Island became emergency meeting point
Instead, the helicopter diverted to nearby Heron Island, where crews waited nearly three hours for the trawler to move closer through difficult waters. Once the fishing vessel reached a safer position, the fisherman was transferred into the helicopter and flown back to Bundaberg.
The patient was then transported by ambulance to Bundaberg Hospital, where he remains in a stable condition.
The rescue highlights the dangers faced by commercial fishing crews operating far offshore and the critical role Queensland emergency aviation teams play during marine emergencies. More information about emergency rescue operations can be found on the official LifeFlight Australia website.
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