Thanks to AirCare, a mother and daughter were better prepared for a real emergency

Last year at a safety fair in Oelwein, Iowa, an AirCare helicopter crew gave Diana Stewart and her 8-year-old daughter, Katie, an educational tour at one of the state's most valuable machines for patient transport and rescue.

"We inspected the inside of an AirCare helicopter and saw where each person would be seated in a real emergency," Diana says. "We also learned that a parent or family member would not be allowed to ride along because flight nurses need as much space as possible to provide patient care."

Incredibly, the Stewart's introduction to AirCare proved to be a valuable dress rehearsal for the real thing a mere two weeks later. That's when Katie and her 18-year-old brother, Michael, were involved in a serious head-on car crash on Highway 150 near Hazelton, Iowa.

Michael sustained only minor injuries but Katie suffered multiple cuts, two broken legs, a broken foot, and a broken hand.

By sheer coincidence, Diana happened upon the accident in a separate car. Unaware that her own children were involved in the crash, she drove past the scene as rescue workers extricated Katie from the car, which was demolished.

A cell phone call sent her frantically back to the scene, where she saw Michael and learned that Katie had been taken to Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo. Diana drove on to Waterloo just in time to learn that Katie was being transferred by AirCare II to University of Iowa Children's Hospital at UI Hospitals and Clinics.

Remarkably, as Katie was placed in the helicopter, she calmly told her mother exactly where she would lie, who would be with her, and where they would sit—just as it had been explained to her at the safety fair. Katie also understood why her mother would not be riding along on the half-hour flight.

"Everyone was calm and in control," Diana says.

Following her arrival at University of Iowa Children's Hospital, Katie successfully underwent three hours of complex surgery to repair the cuts and fix the multiple fractures. The team's leader was UI orthopaedic specialist James Nepola, MD.

In retrospect, Diana says, Katie's relaxed state of mind at the time of the helicopter transfer was comforting and perhaps even helpful in her recovery, which is now nearly complete.Had it not been for the safety fair, she says, the entire experience would have been much more traumatic for everyone involved.

"I am so thankful the AirCare crew took the time to explain things, answer questions, and share reasons why things are done. And I would encourage all parents and their elementary school-aged children to attend safety fairs if they have the chance. You never know when something you learn could make a difference in your life!"

—Michael Sondergard

Forever Grateful
Katie and Diana Stewart will always remember the AirCare flight that helped Katie get the urgent care she needed after a car crash. With them is Steven Fuller, EMT-PS, CCP, one of the crew members on that flight.