HELPING HAND: Kokoda Track hopeful James Suttor is given assistance by paramedics and a crewman from the Westpac Rescue Helicopter after being winched off a walking track at the Oxley Lookout yesterday. Photo: Robert Chappel 040712RCG14
TAMWORTH’s James Suttor has stumbled upon a problem in his quest to conquer the Kokoda Track.
Yesterday lunchtime, Mr Suttor was training for the fundraising journey he’s scheduled to take on September 7 and, while walking on one of the Oxley Lookout tracks, fell and suffered what’s believed to be a fractured ankle.
It is not known if the injury will mean the trip, which includes Mr Suttor taking part in a building project with Investa Track – a division of the Salvation Army – and a walk of the Kokoda Track with the aim of raising funds for the NSW Brain Injury Foundation, will now be called off.
Such was the precarious position of Mr Suttor’s fall yesterday the Westpac Rescue Helicopter had to be called in to airlift him.
Spokesman for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Barry Walton said paramedics had been unable to attend to Mr Suttor on foot and, as a result, the helicopter had been brought in to winch him out.
The helicopter then landed at the lookout, in front of a crowd of curious spectators and a flurry of dust, leaving Mr Suttor in the care of ambulance paramedics.
It is understood Mr Suttor was taken to Tamworth hospital for further treatment for his ankle.
His injury follows a successful fundraising trivia night held last Friday at the Salvation Army Hall which attracted more than 60 people and raised more than $2000.
Mr Suttor, who suffered a brain injury in April 1988 as the result of a motorcycle incident, decided to take on the Kokoda challenge to help others and raise money for a foundation he said had helped him a lot, the Brain Injury Foundation.