Woman Hit by Car in Own Driveway Meets Paramedics Who Saved Her Life

Key Takeaways

• Samantha Hind was given a less than 1% chance of survival after being run over by her husband’s car and suffering catastrophic injuries to her chest and stomach.
• Paramedics performed a life-saving finger thoracostomy to restart her heart and she was airlifted to the hospital, where she remained in a coma for 12 days.
• After 31 days, Ms. Hind was discharged from the hospital and has since made a remarkable recovery, relearning how to walk and regaining her physical strength.
• The accident has strengthened the bond between Ms. Hind and her husband, and she has learned to appreciate the little things in life and not take anything for granted.
• The paramedics and Triple Zero call-taker who helped save Ms. Hind’s life were reunited with her and her family, and described the experience as a "miracle" and one of the most rewarding moments of their careers.

Introduction to the Accident
The story of Samantha Hind’s near-fatal accident is a remarkable one, and a testament to the quick thinking and expertise of the paramedics who saved her life. In 2020, Ms. Hind was sunbaking on the front lawn of her home in Frankston South when her husband, Jeff, accidentally ran over her with his car. The accident left her with catastrophic injuries to her chest and stomach, and paramedics gave her a less than 1% chance of survival. Despite the dire prognosis, Ms. Hind’s husband and son sprang into action, calling Triple Zero (000) and administering basic first aid until the paramedics arrived.

The Life-Saving Intervention
The paramedics who responded to the call were specialist MICA paramedics, who were trained to deal with complex and critical cases. They performed a finger thoracostomy, cutting into Ms. Hind’s chest cavity and inserting their fingers to allow air out of her lungs and restart her heartbeat. This life-saving intervention, combined with the timely arrival of the paramedics and the effective triaging of the call, ultimately saved Ms. Hind’s life. She was airlifted to the Alfred Hospital, where she remained in a coma for 12 days, and her loved ones were left in limbo, unsure of her prognosis.

The Road to Recovery
After 12 days in a coma, Ms. Hind began to show signs of improvement, and was eventually discharged from the hospital after 31 days. Her recovery was nothing short of remarkable, with weekly physiotherapy appointments helping her to relearn how to walk and regain her physical strength. Despite the physical challenges she faced, Ms. Hind’s greatest struggle was mental, as she came to terms with the trauma she had experienced and the impact it had on her family. She has spoken publicly about the importance of seeking help and support during the recovery process, and has encouraged others to do the same.

A Second Chance at Life
Two years after the accident, Ms. Hind and her family reunited with the paramedics and Triple Zero call-taker who had helped save her life. The reunion was an emotional one, with Ms. Hind thanking the paramedics for giving her a second chance at life. She has spoken about the accident as a wake-up call, and has learned to appreciate the little things in life and not take anything for granted. Her husband, Jeff, has also spoken about the impact of the accident on their relationship, saying that it has strengthened their bond and given them a newfound appreciation for each other.

A Miracle of Modern Medicine
The paramedics who saved Ms. Hind’s life have described the experience as a "miracle" and one of the most rewarding moments of their careers. MICA paramedic Andrew Burns, who performed the life-saving finger thoracostomy, said that it was one of the best jobs he had done in his career, and that Ms. Hind was one of the most genuine and lovely people he had ever met. The reunion was a celebration of the power of modern medicine and the importance of timely and effective medical intervention. It was also a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit, and a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for a second chance at life.