Woman flown to hospital after being trampled by cow in South East Queensland

A RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter has flown a woman to hospital after being trampled by a cow in South East Queensland on Sunday afternoon. Emergency crews responded swiftly, reflecting the readiness of Queensland's aeromedical rescue teams following livestock-related incidents across rural properties.

What Happened During the Cattle Handling Incident

Woman in her 50s was working with cattle at a friend's property when one of the animals attacked her. Rescue crews were tasked to a private property northwest of Dayboro at about 2.45 pm, responding to reports of a serious injury.

She sustained suspected chest injuries during the attack, prompting an urgent airlift rather than road transport given the property's rural location and limited road conditions.

LifeFlight Response and Hospital Transfer

LifeFlight crews airlifted her to Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, where she received specialist care for her injuries. Rapid aeromedical evacuation remains critical in cases involving suspected internal trauma, particularly in regions where road access to major health facilities may take considerably longer than a helicopter transfer.

Queensland's rural and regional communities rely heavily on services like LifeFlight to bridge gaps between remote properties and metropolitan hospitals. This incident highlights ongoing risks faced by farmers, station hands, and casual helpers working directly with livestock throughout Australia.

Why Cattle-Related Injuries Remain a Serious Safety Concern

Livestock handling incidents continue to feature prominently in rural safety news, with cattle capable of inflicting severe blunt-force trauma even during routine handling tasks. Workers should never underestimate an animal's strength, unpredictability, or reaction to stress, particularly when working alone or in isolated locations.

Below are practical measures that reduce risk when handling cattle:

• Maintain clear escape routes when working in yards or pens
• Avoid turning your back on cattle, especially agitated animals
• Use appropriate handling equipment and secure fencing
• Never work alone with cattle when avoidable, particularly in remote community settings
• Ensure mobile phone coverage or an emergency communication device is available

Organisations such as Safe Work Australia provide guidance on managing risks associated with animal handling in agricultural settings, reinforcing the importance of structured safety procedures for anyone working with livestock.

Related Safety Incidents in South East Queensland

This event follows a broader pattern of agricultural and vehicle-related emergencies requiring aeromedical support across the region. Readers may also be interested in a recent report on a teenager flown to hospital after rolling an ATV in south-east Queensland, as well as coverage of a man flown to hospital following a farm vehicle crash in south-east Queensland.

Businesses and property owners seeking to strengthen workplace safety documentation following storm or flood damage may find our free Cleaning after Flood and Storm SWMS a useful resource for maintaining compliance.

Source: LifeFlight news update.