Airlift after tree-cutting incident in southern Queensland

Airlift After Tree-Cutting Incident in Southern Queensland

A man was critically injured while cutting down a tree in southern Queensland and was airlifted to hospital for treatment on Monday, 31 January.

According to news reports, the man was using a chainsaw when the tree fell on him, leaving him with multiple injuries.

Emergency Services Response

RACQ LifeFlight Rescue services were tasked to the scene just before 12:30pm. Emergency services worked quickly to stabilise him before transport, reflecting the coordinated approach that emergency medical services across Australia rely on for critical incidents involving heavy machinery.

He was flown to Princess Alexandra Hospital in critical condition, where hospital services continued treatment.

Why Tree-Felling Incidents Require Fast Response Services

Incidents involving chainsaws and falling trees can escalate quickly, which is why rapid airlift services and ground rescue services remain essential across regional and rural parts of Queensland. Community members in these areas often depend heavily on rescue services and retrieval services, since distances to major hospitals can delay standard ambulance services.

Industries relying on tree removal, land clearing or vegetation maintenance work should recognise the risks involved and ensure robust safety controls are in place. Organisations providing these services must prioritise thorough risk assessments and proper training before undertaking cutting work near powerlines, structures or on uneven terrain.

Learning From Similar Incidents

This event follows a pattern seen in other recent news stories, including a tree-cutting incident in southern Tasmania that also resulted in hospitalisation, and a farm incident in southern Queensland requiring airlift services. A separate tractor incident in Queensland further highlights how heavy machinery work continues to pose serious risks for workers.

Employers and site supervisors overseeing tree-felling work should implement a documented Tree Felling Using a Dozer SWMS to outline safe procedures and control measures. Businesses should also maintain a strong Incident Reporting Policy so that near misses and injuries are captured, reviewed and used to improve future safety services.

For businesses managing multiple work sites, having access to reliable incident management checklists, forms and registers supports faster reporting and better outcomes when emergency services are required. Where cutting operations extend to workshop or fabrication settings, similar rigour applies, as outlined in a Guillotine Metal Cutting Operation SWMS.

Source: Lifeflight.