When two Norms meet

By Paul Blanksby, Helensburgh Men’s Shed Publicity officer turned emergency services guide

Thursday, 2 December. Weather: fine, warm and sultry. The sea was placid that day, the bush bursting with growth and the creeks flowing. It was a lovely day for Norm and Kerry to explore the Kelly’s Falls area.

Keen bushwalkers, the couple enjoy life in Hillcrest Village and love to explore the environment. But this day of soaking in nature’s pleasures was to have an unexpected ending.

Crossing the creek in Gills Gully, Norm slipped on algae-coated rocks and fell, breaking his left humerus (upper arm bone). Not humorous at all! (Sorry.)

Both Norm and Kerry are made of strong stuff, and Kerry was able to find my phone number and contacted me for assistance in guiding the ambulance service to where they were stuck.

As Norm said: “We hoped we could find a local to help. Your number is in 2508 so we rang another village resident to get it. And, like the genie out of the bottle, you appeared.”

I had previously met Norm through the Men’s Shed and he knew that I bushwalked too, and had spent time in the Kelly’s and Gill’s creek areas, exploring around the base of the falls and downstream – a difficult but rewarding hike.

I was keenly anticipating using my newly updated First Aid Training, but those wonderful paramedics were already in the carpark preparing for the Rescue of Norm.

And, unbelievable as it seems, the name of the Ambulance Chief Inspector in charge of the operation was … Norman!

It was awesome to observe the team going through their planning and protocols, getting their equipment together and ensuring all involved were kept safe.

Ollie, the Special Operations officer, made certain each twist and turn on the track was marked for a safe retreat. Jessica and Rhian, the paramedics, were wonderful in their gentle treatment of Norm, particularly during the difficult moments when he was carefully moved on a ‘Sked’ stretcher from his precarious position at the top of a small waterfall onto more level, dry land.

Inspector Norman kept Injured Norm fully informed through each step of the rescue and treatment process, maintaining eye and voice contact with him. Kerry also was reassured and kept aware of all that was happening to her husband.

And Norm’s memories of Wollongong Hospital? “They looked after me well at Wollongong Hospital, but by the time they got a cast on it was too late to go home. In the morning, they gave me an excellent white bread and ham and sweet mustard pickle sandwich.”

This year’s Christmas stocking may have a new pair of hiking shoes in there, hey Norm?

From all of us – thank you to the NSW Ambulance Service and Wollongong Hospital for a job well done.