One year on

Weeks shy of the first anniversary of a life-altering car crash, Kelly Willer reunited with the RAC Rescue crew who helped to save her life.

On 31 March 2023, 38-year-old Kelly Willer was driving solo to Albany after a change of plans meant her then 7-year-old son Joshua and husband Dave would stay home.

Later that evening while travelling along Albany Highway near Arthur River, a car collided head-on with her vehicle.

In a twist of fate, an off-duty emergency doctor and emergency nurse came across the scene minutes after the crash and immediately started to treat Kelly who was in a critical condition.

Firefighters from Wagin and Williams Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service worked to free Kelly from the wreckage, and critical support was provided by St John WA volunteers and WA Police.

RAC Rescue arrived just before 9pm. Critical Care Paramedic (CCP) Andrew Readhead commended the great work of volunteers on the scene and the support provided by the off-duty doctor and nurse.

“When we arrived, the patient was out of the vehicle, on a stretcher and the doctor and nurse had already provided some good treatment,” Andrew said.

“It was great to have two people familiar with a lot of the tasks we needed to do. To be able to quickly establish a relationship and get their assistance to stabilise the patient was really valuable.”

“Our priority was putting the patient in an induced coma and taking over her breathing to best manage what we suspected was a possible traumatic brain injury. We also gave her two units of packed red blood cells which we carry onboard.”

RAC Rescue worked on Kelly at the scene for more than an hour before transitioning her into the aircraft and flying her to Royal Perth Hospital where she went straight into emergency surgery.

Kelly spent four weeks in an induced coma and was out of the intensive care unit in two and a half months. Remarkably, this was less than half the time she was expected to spend there.

She had sustained a brain injury as well as leg and abdominal injuries. She was unable to talk or walk, and the prognosis was that she may never again; but after extensive rehabilitation at Fiona Stanley Hospital, she defied the odds.

Like many of her practitioners, she couldn’t explain her expedited recovery but credited her stubbornness and ‘never give up attitude’ for getting up and walking earlier than advised.

On 10 March 2024, Kelly reunited with the RAC Rescue flight crew alongside Dave, Joshua and her father Gerard.

She said there were not enough chocolates or baked goods they could bring that would fully express their gratitude.

“It was unreal to meet them,” Kelly said. “They without a doubt saved my life.”

In the middle of the visit, the crew received a call to attend a motorcycle crash in Keysbrook. The tasking had a profound impact on Kelly which she hadn’t anticipated.

“I didn’t think I was going to cry today,” Kelly said. “It was overwhelming knowing that they were going off to help someone in need just like I was”.

“The work they do is absolutely amazing and I am forever indebted to them.”

One year on, Kelly is continuing on her road to recovery. She underwent abdominal surgery in January and will shortly undergo her last surgery.

After spending her last birthday in hospital, Kelly is looking forward to a big celebration for her 40th in May.

The RAC Rescue helicopters provide vital search and rescue critical care medical services to the WA community. They are funded by the State Government, managed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and sponsored by RAC.