What parents did to save the life of toddler mauled by dingo
Parents of the baby mauled by a dingo while camping last week “did everything right”, according to the first paramedic on the scene.
The 14-month-old boy’s parents awoke to him crying on Thursday night after the dingo dragged him from their campervan on Queensland’s Fraser Island.
Paramedic Ben Du Toit said the immediate instincts of the mother and father were exactly what was required in the unique emergency situation, Nine News reported.
After hearing screams from his son, the boy's father ran outside and fought a dingo away from its clasp around the boy’s neck and skull.
“Immediately, the parents were really under control. They did an amazing job. They stemmed the bleeding to a large extent, basic first aid things,” Mr Du Toit said.
Paramedics treated the boy for two deep cuts on his neck near the back of his head and some minor cuts on his head before he was airlifted to Hervey Bay Hospital about 3am on Friday morning.
He was found to also be suffering a fractured skull and at about 8am the boy was transferred to Queensland's Children's Hospital in Brisbane.
The infant was in a stable condition following two surgeries, with his family announcing he was “doing well”.
"He has suffered multiple puncture wounds to his neck and skull and is also being treated for a fracture to his skull,” they said in a statement.
The Queensland Department of Environment and Science told Yahoo News Australia the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service was investigating.
“Rangers are increasing patrols and visiting campsites to remind visitors to be dingo aware and remain vigilant at all times,” a spokesperson said.
“Rangers are attempting to identify the dingoes involved. Once further details about the attack are known, QPWS will consider any other measures necessary to ensure visitor safety.”
Mr Du Toit warned visitors to Fraser Island to heed rangers' advice and stay away from dingoes.
"Just stay well clear of them, keep all food sources well locked up and away from dingoes, and never walk alone, always walk in groups," he said.
The DES spokesperson said adults should stay within arm’s reach of children and young teenagers.
People are advised to always walk in groups, camp in fenced areas where possible and never feed dingoes.
Food should be locked up and never stored in tents. People are also not advised to run as it can trigger negative dingo interaction.
The incident comes just months after a six-year-old boy was attacked by a dingo on the island.
Just weeks later in February, a mother and son were mauled by a pack of dingos nearby.
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