Fisherman flown to Perth after shark attack

On a sunny Friday morning last October, Robbie Peck set off on a fishing trip off the coast of Port Hedland with his brother-in-law, Clive and four-year-old son, James.

After an enjoyable day, Robbie dove into the crystal-clear water one last time with a spear gun in hand while James dozed on deck under Clive’s watchful eye. Disaster struck as Robbie speared his last fish for the day. He glanced over his left shoulder to see a wall of teeth moving towards him at full charge.

“I recall the teeth sinking into my arm like a hot knife through butter.”

Robbie pulled his arm free and made for the boat, calling out to Clive that he’d been bitten by a shark and needed a tourniquet. Clive used a weight belt as a tourniquet and a spear gun as a splint and pointed the boat towards land about 13km away. By the time they returned to the boat ramp, an ambulance was waiting to transport Robbie to Port Hedland Regional Hospital. After initial treatment, Robbie needed to get to Perth as soon as possible for specialist surgery on his left arm.

“I live next door to an RFDS doctor and my wife is a paramedic, so I know how important the RFDS is and I knew I was in good hands.”

“I felt safe and super grateful the RFDS was there to fly me to Royal Perth Hospital,” Robbie said.

Sometimes it’s the little things that RFDS crews do that really stick with patients.

“I was dying of thirst but wasn’t allowed water before my surgery at Royal Perth Hospital. At the RFDS base in Port Hedland, a nurse offered me an icy orange Zooper Dooper—it was the best Zooper Dooper of my life,” Robbie said. Months later, Robbie has undergone multiple surgeries and is still recovering. Reflecting on his experience, Robbie said:

“That day in October was one of the most powerful and profound experiences of my life. Being so close to death, it became crystal clear how important my family and loved ones are to me. I didn’t care about anything else. I was focused on surviving for my family. At the end of the day, if you have people you love, let them know.”

17 May 2023

For the past 94 years, RFDS crews have brought the finest emergency and primary healthcare to the furthest corners of Australia.

Western Australia is the world’s largest health jurisdiction and the RFDS has five aeromedical bases located at Broome, Port Hedland, Meekatharra, Kalgoorlie and Jandakot.

With the support of people like you, RFDS WA operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week across more than 2.5 million square kilometres of our great State, including Christmas and Cocos Islands.

Services across the state to reduce the disparity in health care in the regions.

We hope you join us on Flying Doctor Day as we reflect and recognise the dedicated hard work of our crews and look to the future of our service.

Thank you for standing by our side as we continue to innovate and rise to meet every new challenge that comes our way.

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“The Hamersley Ranges in the Pilbara are also amazing to see, especially early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the red colour of the hills really stands out.

“I recently transferred to the Kalgoorlie Base after 20 years in the North West, and I’m looking forward to admiring the views southern WA has to offer from both an aerial perspective and from the ground.”