Storm brings spate of ladder accidents

A DOZEN people were hospitalised in 12 hours due to ladder falls on Thursday, and paramedics have warned people to take care on ladders.

Many of the 11 men and one woman who were injured told paramedics they had fallen while clearing gutters ahead of the weekend’s storms.

The most seriously hurt was a man aged in his 80s who suffered head and spinal injuries when he fell from a ladder at a property south of Bendigo.

He was flown by air ambulance helicopter to The Alfred hospital in a critical condition.

In Corio, a man aged in his 70s fell 1.5 metres from a ladder, suffering fractures to vertebrae, ribs and his pelvis. He was initially taken to University Hospital Geelong and later transferred by road to The Alfred hospital in a serious condition.

Ambulance Victoria director of emergency management Paul Holman feared more people would be injured in ladder falls as the storms moved through.

“Unfortunately a fall from a ladder or the roof can easily cause death or result in life-changing injuries.

“We know older people are more prone to falls. Nine of the 12 injured yesterday were aged over 50.

“It’s just not worth the risk climbing a ladder if you can avoid it. Consider getting a professional in to do the work.

“If your house has flood or storm damage, call the SES on 132 500.

Paramedics also urge people not to drive through floodwaters.

“During the last major flooding in Victoria, Air Ambulance paramedics had to perform a number of rescues after people were stranded when they drove their car drove into floodwaters,” Mr Holman said.