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Hastings Fire Station was the setting for an emotional reunion last week as Mark Stockwell came face-to-face with the emergency crews who freed him after a tree crushed his car.
Mark was driving home during a storm on Coolart Road in Tuerong last August when the freak incident occurred, trapping him in his vehicle with serious injuries.
Emergency services arrived swiftly, but it took a challenging 90 minutes of coordinated effort from Hastings, Langwarrin and Dromana CFA members, VICSES, Ambulance Victoria, and Victoria Police to safely extricate him.
Accompanied by his wife and son, Mark used the reunion as an opportunity to personally thank the first responders for their dedication and teamwork.
"Words can't express how grateful I am. Every time I'm at home, I think about all these guys, and I tear up," Mark said.
"I get to be a dad, and I get to be a husband because of them.
"I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for what they've done and what they continue to do.
"They have families and could be at home, but instead, they're out there rescuing people like me. It's incredible."
Recalling the events of that day, Mark said: "I don't really remember much about it. I just recall thinking, 'I think I've been in an accident,' and I was coming in and out of consciousness.
"The guys were trying to keep me awake, but I kept drifting. I remember one moment of pain, like waking from a dream, and thinking, 'I can't feel my leg, my back is sore, my neck hurts.'
"I saw the airbag and thought, 'Why's my airbag out? I must have been in an accident. That's pretty much all I remember."
Several key personnel on scene that day also shared their perspectives on the incident and what it meant to see Mark's recovery firsthand.
Quotes attributable to CFA Incident Controller Georgia Densley:
"Rescues like this one really highlight the strength of teamwork between CFA and our emergency service partners.
"Everyone on scene played their part, including Mark, who stayed calm under immense pressure, which made our job that much easier.
"It's incredibly rewarding to see him here today and to witness his recovery firsthand."
Quotes attributable to Dutchy Holland, VICSES Hastings Unit Controller:
"As first responders, having the chance to meet and talk with community members who we support in their time of need is an extremely rewarding experience.
"I'm very proud of our volunteers who were able to provide timely and much-needed aid alongside other emergency service providers to effect a positive outcome in this instance."
Quotes attributable to MICA Paramedic Angus Bowden:
"Being able to reconnect with a patient and see him thrive after such a serious incident is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do. Mark was not only trapped, but appeared to have sustained multiple traumatic injuries.
"In this case, the combination of advanced clinical care and collaboration played a crucial role in the patient's survival and recovery. From start to finish, it was a remarkable team effort, with paramedics, firefighters and SES working together to achieve the best possible outcome."
