Serena Kirby, Denmark Bulletin

Denmark GP Dr Alex Sleeman knows first hand how life can change in an instant. He suffered serious injuries last month when his tractor rolled and pinned him underneath while working on his Peace Street property.

Alex suffered numerous wounds and multiple pelvic fractures plus a fractured spine combined with a double dislocation of his lower spine.

He was at risk of ‘bleeding out’.

Alex’s 13-year old son, Pablo, was with him at the time and immediately rang 000 before running to their house to alert his mother, Agata.

Speaking from his bed in Royal Perth Hospital’s spinal unit, Alex said he was lucky to be alive.

Within minutes of the accident local St John Ambulance and fire and rescue crews arrived along with several off duty medical colleagues.

The ‘jaws of life’ were used to extract Alex from under the tractor.

“The speed and competency of those who responded was totally phenomenal,” Alex said.

The accident occurred about 10.45am and in less than an hour Alex was at Denmark Hospital receiving emergency treatment.

“I was in and out of consciousness but I knew I was surrounded by the best people I could have ever wished for,” he said.

Team Sleeman slips into action

Alex was then transported to Albany Hospital and by 3.30pm he was on a Royal Flying Doctor Service flight to Perth.

By 6pm Alex was on the operating table where surgeons worked to better stabilise his injuries and realign his lower spine that was ‘bent like a step’.

Alex he spoke of how well he was cared for during the ordeal and is grateful for the help and support from the emergency services and medical staff, friends, family and the Denmark community.

As the average rehabilitation time for Alex’s type of spinal injury is about three to four months, it is too early to know how much mobility he will regain but he said there was a good chance he would walk again.

Whatever his physical limitations he would continue to work as a doctor and was keen to return to his role at the Denmark Family Practice.

When asked how it felt to be on the other side of the stethoscope, Alex said the experience would make him a better doctor.

“I know what it feels like to be injured and in pain, to be on a stretcher in an ambulance and feel scared and vulnerable and it feels like shit!

“There’s no other way to get this kind of awareness than with a lived experience.

“But I don’t think we should cripple every doctor in med school so they learn what it’s like but there’s definitely a new understanding and empathy.”

Alex was already seeing a positive side to his accident as his son Pablo, who’s an avid plane and bike-riding enthusiast, had instigated a fundraising drive for the RFDS to thank them for saving his dad’s life.

Pablo and his siblings, Chris, 11 and Sophie, 6, have taken up a fitness challenge with the RFDS Oceans to Outback fundraiser and the trio aim to ride 700km between them in October.

Within days of starting the fundraiser, Team Sleeman became one of Australia’s top fundraising team having raised about $20,000 which is far above their original $7000 target.

Team Sleeman is now second on the leaderboard with more than $22,000.

In WA, the RFDS provides more than 8000 free medical flights a year and receives some funding from the government but donations from individuals keep the service flying.

Everyone can show appreciation for the RFDS by donating via oceanstooutback.org.au and searching for Team Sleeman.

This article appeared in the Denmark Bulletin, 10 October 2024.
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