Date Published: 17 April 2009
Injured arrive in WA after Ashmore Reef explosion
The first of the people seriously injured in a boat explosion on Ashmore Reef, off the State’s northwest coast, have arrived in Western Australia for treatment.
State Health Coordinator Dr Andrew Robertson said about 31 injured patients were treated by medical teams at Truscott Airbase, near the remote community of Kalumburu, before being airlifted to hospitals in Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
Dr Robertson said 23 people hurt in the explosion were expected to be treated in WA public hospitals. Eight patients would be treated in the Northern Territory.
Dr Robertson said four of the seriously injured patients had already arrived in Perth and would be admitted to Royal Perth Hospital for ongoing care.
Eighteen more of the injured are due to arrive in Perth this morning after 7am.
Dr Robertson said the majority of these patients had suffered burns and other trauma related injuries and would be treated at RPH.
One seriously injured man was being treated by a WA Health burns team at Broome Regional Hospital and would also be transferred to Perth later today.
Broome Regional Hospital and other major Perth hospitals remain on standby.
Dr Robertson said the Department of Health was continuing to work with other relevant State and Commonwealth agencies to coordinate the rescue effort.
Three people have died from injuries sustained in the explosion and two people are missing.
Further updates and patient condition reports will be available later today.
Source: www.health.wa.gov.au
