It was around midday on 19 November 2008 when the helicopter, which was doing routine powerline checks for ETSA, went down between Mannum and Murray Bridge. John, a pilot for Aeropower in Brisbane who was sub-contracted to ETSA, along with the other workers onboard were trapped in the wreckage until the ambulance arrived. “It seemed like forever,” says John, who was conscious throughout, “but it was probably 20 or 30 minutes. It was surreal.”

When the ambulance arrived, the paramedics were worried about moving John, who was aware enough to “pretty much tell them what was wrong.” John had a fractured sacrum and pelvis, as well as injuries to his lower back and left arm. “You know your own body,” he says.

A rescue helicopter then flew the injured passengers to Flinders Medical Centre. One man later died.

John remained in hospital for two weeks, and when he was discharged, it was in a wheelchair. He was unable to walk, though the prognosis for recovery was good.

“I wasn’t allowed to put weight on my pelvis at all for several more weeks,” says John. After nearly two months, he was given the all clear to begin physio. However, his arm – which had been fractured and metal plates inserted – wasn’t healing properly, and he had to have further surgery involving a bone graft.

“It was a nightmare being stuck at home,” says John, whose wife Rhonda stayed home for the first couple of weeks to take care of him. “After that, she left me with a plate of sandwiches and the dog for company, and the remote control within reach!

“She dealt with my case manager when I was in hospital and she’s really been so supportive. She had to dress me, wash me – it’s made us closer.”

John’s workers compensation case manager from Employers Mutual organised for an occupational therapist to assess his house and make adjustments while he was in hospital, so that it was more user-friendly when he got home. “Everything I wanted was supplied by WorkCover,” he says.

“I was determined to get fit and healthy again quickly,” asserts John, who went to the physio every day “as soon as they would let me!”

John returned to work on light duties in May 2009. “If it wasn’t for my arm, I like to think I would have returned sooner.” He says he pottered and did paperwork – “Even if I did nothing, I’d still go into work. It was important for me to get back into work mode, to get back into the swing of it.”

Once John felt sufficiently fit, he re-did his aviation medical, which was “all good”. Then he went to Brisbane to do some flying with the Aeropower chief pilot. “I felt really good,” he says. “No nerves.” He resumed his full pre-injury duties in July 2009.

“I can’t do long days yet. I have to have constant breaks every hour. But I’m getting better all the time.

“My back is stuffed though. I can’t run, can’t stand for long. My whole body took a bit of a whack!” His elbow is back to about "60% capacity", he reckons.

One of the toughest things for John has been the change from being very active – playing golf, walking the dog – to suddenly doing nothing. “I can’t burn up the dance floor like I used to!” says John, admitting his wife is probably pretty happy about this.

So what advice would John give other workers who are injured? “Do something, unless you’re severely disabled of course. Otherwise your mind and body will just die on you. Get over it and get back to work!

“It makes you stronger, getting over something like this. It makes you look at life differently. Little things seem less important. And you don’t take things for granted.”