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It is alleged that the Toyota Troop Carrier carrying seven people was travelling west along the Port Keats Roads at approximately 11:50 am yesterday when the 45-year-old female driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to roll.

One of the passengers a male aged 17 was ejected from the vehicle receiving a suspected broken pelvis and spinal injuries, three other female passengers, also 17 years of age, received minor injuries.

Police, Fire and Emergency Response Group attended the crash.

Four NTES volunteers also attended and used cutting equipment to remove one of the three injured females who were trapped before both they and the male passenger were medivacced to Royal Darwin Hospital.

The adult driver received a minor head laceration and two other passengers were conveyed to Daly River Health Clinic for treatment to cuts and abrasions.

Gary Higgins, NTES Unit Officer at the Daly River Volunteer unit said these people were extremely lucky.

"The volunteer unit was activated at 12:30 pm to respond to a motor vehicle rollover near Daly River.

"We arrived within a short time and used our hydraulic cutting equipment to remove part of the back of the vehicle to allow for the removal of the injured people.

"We then placed them on flat boards before they were airlifted to hospital.

"It was a group effort getting these people to safety, however I would like to say a special thank you to the NTES volunteers for their work.

"These men and women have undertaken special training which includes first aid training and road accident rescue courses, to assist in situations like this" he said.

Acting Commissioner Bruce Wernham said it was a great effort by everyone from the Tri Service who responded.

"I'd especially like to thank the Northern Territory Emergency Service Volunteers for their assistance in such difficult circumstances in their own time.

"These unpaid members are a great asset to the community and this once again highlights the vital role they play across the whole Territory" he said.

Two females and a male, all aged 17 remain in a stable condition in hospital and the others have since been discharged.


Media contact:
Amy Sloan
8922 3365