By Leonie Fuge
It has been two months since a devastating tractor accident left Ballandean seamstress Claire McKenzie lying in her paddock near death after her tractor crushed her arm and the slasher critically damaged her legs.
Against all odds, Claire has survived, and her extraordinary courage in the most horrific of situations has become a source of inspiration to all around her.
Claire remains in recovery at Princess Alexandria Hospital after becoming a double amputee and has undergone reconstruction surgery on her left arm.
From her hospital bed, Claire has spoken exclusively with Warwick-Stanthorpe Today to share the story of her life-changing accident and to thank her family and community for the overwhelming support they have offered.
The events of 24 November 2022 are forever seared into Claire’s memory and though she wishes she could turn back time, Claire says “it has happened and I have to move forward“.
“I have grit determination and strength to overcome the obstacles and be the best I can be.”
The accident took place around midday after Claire had finished up in the vegetable garden and decided to start slashing grass.
“I was on my tractor slashing at the rear of the dam. I’d almost finished when the tractor jolted. I was bucked off. I tried to hang on to the wheel but failed and came down hard on the ground,“ she said.
Claire noticed that the tractor had tilted but it corrected itself and continued in gear with the slasher engaged. She had no time to move out of the way.
“My left arm was crushed by the rear tyre,” she said. “The pain was so intense, I think I blacked out for a moment.“
Claire regained awareness before her legs were taken in by the slasher and torn apart.
“The absolute agony was beyond anything imaginable. I never thought anything could be so painful. I lay screaming for help, but no one could hear me. I was completely alone, it was terrifying.”
In unbearable pain Claire remembered crying out: “I’m ready to die! Take me”.
Even though Claire had just sustained life threatening injuries and was left lying alone in her paddock, her thoughts turned to her animal’s welfare and that of her family.
“I was upset about the fate of my animals, without me they needed to be re-homed. I was also worried about how my children would receive the news of the accident.”
As a saving grace, Claire noticed that her mobile phone had landed within inches of her hand.
Using all of her strength, Claire managed to pick it up with her good arm and called her long-time friend Steve. He was not available so Claire left a desperate message for immediate help with her animals.
“I also made calls to close neighbours regarding my pets but no-one answered,” said Claire,
After doing all she could for her animals, Claire then called 000.
“I told them where I was and what had happened. They wanted me to stay on the phone but I needed to make other calls to family and friends. I thought I was dying, I wanted to say goodbye.“
Claire said it was a long painful wait for emergency services with the sun beating down on her open wounds. She was relieved to hear the sounds of the ambulance sirens.
“They finally found me and they did what they do. I faded many times. I don’t remember the chopper landing.
“The first responders were fast acting, they just jumped into gear and worked from all angles,” she said.
Claire was transported by LifeFlight to Princess Alexandria Hospital in a critical condition.
“My specialist surgeon said, they nearly lost me, when I came into theatre I was nearly gone.”
Claire was in theatre for seven hours, and then in an induced coma for seven days.
Claire’s specialist told her later that there was no hope of saving her legs as they were beyond repair.
Claire’s upper limb specialist said the injuries to her arm were so serious that they were unsure if she would have use of her arm again.
The surgeon took a bone graft to repair the crushed humerus bone and as Claire’s ulnar nerve was also broken at the elbow the surgeon repaired it using another vein in Claire’s body.
“Doctors expect my arm to recover to around 90 per cent,” said Claire thankfully. “It will just take time.“
Claire is only eight weeks into her recovery and, although she has a long journey ahead, she has found strength and purpose through an overwhelming sense of love and support from her family and community.
Claire’s son Ryan and his wife Dasha arrived the day after the accident, and her daughter Hana made a surprise visit soon after. Ryan and his wife Dasha remained for six weeks offering support in many ways.
“I am amazed by my children, they have been a tower of strength to me,” said Claire. “They make sure I have everything that I need.“
“When my daughter was saying goodbye before leaving, she looked into my eyes and said “thank you for not dying”.
“It was intensely emotional,” said Claire.
“Both of my children said I had risen above the strength they knew I had to survive such a horrific accident.”
Local communities have also rallied to support Claire and her rehabilitation. Many have sent encouraging messages.
A Go Fund Me page was set up for Claire and some of the community have organised a gala event fundraiser for 21 January.
“I’m overwhelmed by their words and the encouragement they have offered,” said Claire.
Claire has also received letters from strangers encouraging her to stay strong.
“One woman sent me a beautiful bracelet that says ‘you got this’ and another sent me $20 in a card with a message. They are truly lovely gestures,” she said.
But without the care of the medical staff at Princess Alexandria Hospital, Claire said she would be lost.
“The nurses are amazing, they give so much support and are always extemely positive.”
Claire is forever grateful for the paramedics who found her laying in the field on her property and focused solely on saving her life.
“The first responders see the worst of the worst. To thank them is nowhere near enough. The paramedics worked tirelessly to save my life whilst I was screaming out, “I want to die, let me go“ but thankfully they ignored me and I wouldn’t be here without their total focus. Thank you.”
Claire said the support she has received from her children, neighbours, friends and the community has been incredible.
“ I am forever grateful to all concerned. I want to prove to them all, ‘I’ve got this,’ and that I will continue to live in Ballandean.”
