
About the episode
“I knew that somehow I had to cling to that cliff until the helicopter could arrive,” past patient, Maverick Robbins. The day LifeFlight's Sunshine Coast crew was called to rescue paraglider Maverick at Rainbow Beach is just one example of the exceptionally complex rescues they face day in, day out. As experienced as Maverick was, one small miscalculation on the last line of the day, and a sudden change of wind direction, caused his glider to crash into a sandy cliff, seriously injuring his back on impact. When the helicopter reached him, night had fallen. The mission required a 170-foot precision winch rescue in total darkness, with the crew working together to stabilise Maverick on the face of the precarious cliff face. For our crew, this was one of the most challenging missions of their career. From rescues like Maverick’s to critical patient transfers, LifeFlight saves thousands of lives across Queensland, but we can’t do it without you. Government funding helps keep us in the air, but to go further, with advanced training, vital equipment, and critical care doctors, we rely on your support. Your donation makes missions like Maverick’s possible, ensuring every Queenslander receives the best care possible. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.