Positivity: The Run of His Life

Though injured himself, 12 year-old Australian Jack Joseland ran over three miles through the outback to save his teacher’s life:

Run of his life
EDMUND BURKE
23jul06
MODEST bush hero Jack Joseland was reunited with his proud parents yesterday insisting he didn’t know what all the fuss was about.

The 12-year-old schoolboy has been hailed as a hero after running 5km to save the life of his teacher critically injured in an outback car crash.

Speaking exclusively to The Sunday Mail yesterday, he insisted: “I just did what I needed to do.

“I don’t mind being called a hero but it’s a bit embarrassing. I don’t know what all the fuss is about.”

Paramedics say his quick actions saved the life of his tutor Wendy Blumson, 65, after Thursday’s accident about 10.30am left her trapped with massive chest injuries on a remote road.

It was Jack’s mercy run that got medical personnel on the scene in time to save his teacher’s life.

Jack and Mrs Blumson hit a series of ditches in a dirt road south of Longreach while driving 160km to Noonbah homestead from his home at Newhaven Station, 12km east of Yaraka.

“When Wendy hit the first one she managed to regain control, but then we hit the second and the third and were shunted sideways over the drain,” Jack said.

“We were airborne, then we slammed into a tree.”

After the smash Jack fought shock to take stock of the situation.

“I could see that the steering wheel was all mashed up and it was pushed up against Wendy’s chest,” he said. “She looked like she was in a fair bit of pain but she was able to say that I needed to go and get help.”

Jack kicked open the stuck door and squeezed out.

“Then I started to run.”

Jack was cut and seriously bruised in the accident, which police say happened at 100km/h.

But he ignored the pain.

“I was a bit frightened and it hurt a bit but I’ve known Wendy pretty much all my life and I needed to help her,” he said.

“I knew Noonbah wasn’t too far away. I don’t think I’ve ever run that far before.

“After a while I took my coat off and threw it on the ground. I was pretty tired but I had to keep going.”

Police say Jack arrived at Noonbah homestead less than half an hour later.

Karen Emmott, a qualified nurse, opened the door to the exhausted boy.

“He was pretty bashed up. But he is a typical bush boy. A tough little man,” she said.

“We called an ambulance and then went to the scene to do what we could.”

Thanks to Jack’s mercy dash, paramedics arrived on the accident scene a little over an hour after the crash.

“(Mrs Blumson) was in a critical condition,” Longreach paramedic Brian Masters said. “There’s no doubt Jack’s actions saved her life.

“He is a hero.”

Mrs Blumson had crushed ribs and sternum, damaged lungs and badly cut knees.

….. “We are very proud of him,” his mum said. “He’s a very independent young man.”