Springsure grazier recovering from grain silo collapse thanks CapRescue
When Pete Hamilton was buried by 50 tonnes of grain on his central Queensland property, he did not think he would survive.
"I remember the roar, then silence and the weight. I couldn't move. Only my face was above the grain," he said.
Mr Hamilton was preparing to empty the grain silo on his property in Springsure, more than 300 kilometres south-west of Rockhampton, in February 2024.
He said what began as a "routine day on the land" changed in a single instant, when the silo gave way "without warning".
Mr Hamilton was trapped under 50 tonnes of wheat when the grain silo collapsed.
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Supplied: CapRescue
)
"The grain was around my head. It was going in my ears … eyes and mouth.
"I thought I was either going to die from being drowned or crushed to death."
Mr Hamilton's screams roused wife Michelle from the house.
Mr Hamilton says he remembers the "roar and then silence" when he became trapped.
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Supplied: CapRescue
)
Finding him partially buried she raised the alarm and the local rescue helicopter service, CapRescue, was summoned.
Ms Hamilton assisted the crew with finding the isolated property, while local police, paramedics and firefighters stayed by Mr Hamilton's side, helping him and keeping him calm.
Neighbours also worked tirelessly to free him, digging with shovels.
"His [the neighbour's] blood ran cold when he came in and he got things happening," Mr Hamilton said.
Mr Hamilton said everyone's relief when the helicopter landed was palpable.
"The moment they landed, I knew I had a chance,"
he said.
"They were calm, professional and knew exactly what to do."
Be prepared for disaster
Having raised money for CapRescue for years as a trail runner in the annual Springsure Mountain Challenge, Mr Hamilton said he never thought he would be calling the service for help.
"I'm just lucky to still be here … [they] turned up when I needed them most. Without that flight, I wouldn't be here talking to you today."
Mr Hamilton said an iron bar pinning his legs helped slow the blood flow to his foot, which was badly damaged.
Neighbours worked to help Mr Hamilton with shovels.
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Supplied: CapRescue
)
Ms Hamilton said the couple wanted to share their story to remind other rural families to be prepared in case disaster struck.
"If you live on a property, ask yourself: 'If a chopper needed to land here, where would it go?'" she said.
"
Thinking about it is one thing, actually having a plan in place is another. Until it happens to you, it's not something most people ever consider.
"
Mr Hamilton was flown to Rockhampton and then Brisbane after the accident and had multiple surgeries, followed by a long recovery.
Mr Hamilton had multiple surgeries, followed by months of recovery.
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Supplied: CapRescue
)
"I've got screws, plates and scars … but I'm still here," he said.
After spending weeks on crutches, followed by months of physiotherapy appointments, Mr Hamilton got back into exercise.
He said it was emergency services, his friends, wife Michelle, and son Wylye that kept him going for the 5am morning runs.
Running for a cause
CapRescue said stories like Mr Hamilton's were not uncommon, with the service called to more than 500 incidents throughout the central Queensland region each year.
It does not charge patients for emergency treatment and transfers and a third of its $15 million operating costs come from fundraising.
More than 12 months on from his incident, on Sunday Mr Hamilton will again compete in the Springsure Mountain Challenge, taking part in the 17km event with Ms Hamilton.
Michelle and Pete Hamilton have been training together.
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Supplied: Springsure Mountain Challenge
)
He said it was important for him to give back to the community that saved his life.
"Whether it was encouraging words, money, time coming out to visit me when I was in hospital … [this run] doesn't really begin to pay it back, but it feels like the right thing to do."
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