Friday 25 November 2022 03:50 AM Claire McKenzie: How Ballandean, Queensland tractor victim survived after two ... trends now
A wedding fashion designer who lost both of her legs and an arm in a horrific lawn mowing incident managed to save her own life by battling through the agony and calling 000.
Claire McKenzie, 61, had bought a tractor and slasher to keep her 50 hectare property in Ballandean, in Queensland's Granite Belt region, safe during bushfire season.
Ms McKenzie, a mother who neighbours describe as a 'quiet lady with a love of nature', was alone on her property just before midday on Thursday when she was thrown from her tractor and the slasher ran her over.
Despite suffering the terrible injuries and bleeding profusely, Ms McKenzie remained conscious and was able to call emergency services for help - with the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) scrambling a rescue helicopter and police rushing from nearby Stanthorpe.
Bridal fashion designer Claire McKenzie (left) was mowing her 50 hectare property in the history wine industry town of Ballandean, 240km north of Brisbane, when she was thrown from her tractor and the slasher severed three of her limbs
The 61-year-old was mowing ahead of the bushfire season three years after fires engulfed the tiny town forcing evacuation, but was catastrophically injured when her slasher fell on one both her legs and one arm
She was airlifted from the scene and delivered by helicopter to the roof of Brisbane's major trauma centre, Princess Alexandra Hospital.
QAS spokesperson Stephen Johns later said Ms McKenzie's 'had life-threatening injuries' and 'I've never seen or heard of anything like this.
'She received significant multiple trauma to her limbs, but was conscious and able to talk to paramedics, who were able to stabilise the lady,' he said.
'It's just a miracle she had enough sense to be able to get onto that phone really quickly and get that help to her. Otherwise it would be an absolute tragedy here today.
A resident of Ballandean said the small community was shocked by the news of Ms McKenzie's injuries.
'She keeps to herself, she's a very quiet person,' an 83-year-old neighbour said.
'She was farming, she has gardens, she's a lover of nature.
'She had bought a tractor and a slasher to try and keep her property fire
