SES Volunteers remember 20 year anniversary of a life-changing crash

21 Sep 2012

MEDIA RELEASE: 21 September 2012

The volunteers who helped save Milly Parker's life when she was in a car crash 20 years ago had the chance to meet her again today.

Victoria State Emergency Service's (SES) Rochester unit was on the scene when Ms Parker was a passenger in a car that crashed after a night out in Shepparton on 20 September, 1992.

Ms Parker has rebuilt her life after learning to live with an Acquired Brain Injury.

SES Rochester Controller Judith Gledhill said it was a rare treat for the unit to reconnect with Milly.

"We rarely get the chance to check in on the people whose lives we save in car accidents once we've left the scene," Mrs Gledhill said.

"We often wonder how people are doing. So to see Milly and find out how successful she's been is really special, especially for our volunteers who were involved in her rescue."

Ms Parker said her time in rehabilitation had been difficult, but she had learnt to live with her injuries and become a business owner and disability advocate.

"None of this would have been possible without volunteers like those in Rochester. If it wasn't for people like this being on call to attend crashes, I wouldn't be able to tell my story today," Ms Parker said.

"Today is my chance to thank these SES volunteers personally and all their emergency services colleagues around the state, for their life-saving efforts."

Transport Accident Commission (TAC) CEO Janet Dore has supported the reunion and Milly's thanks to the emergency services.

"About 5,500 people were seriously injured on Victorian roads each year and about 1,700 of those are in regional Victoria.

"These volunteers do remarkable work in helping keep the road toll down. In thanking them today, we hope all Victorians will continue to work with us to travel safely and reduce the workload for hard working regional volunteers like these.

"I invite all Victorians to have their say on road safety through the Victorian Government's survey online at roadsafety.vic.gov.au," Ms Dore said.

Please contact the TAC's Emily Bogue on 0429 416 778 for more information