A 15-year-old equestrian from Queensland, Australia, is back in the saddle after a near-fatal incident during a campdrafting event. Ava St. Henry, who has been riding horses since childhood, suffered severe injuries in March 2025 when her horse was startled, leading to a catastrophic fall that left her facing life-threatening conditions.
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Campdrafting is a popular Australian equestrian sport where horse and rider work in tandem to control cattle. During her first practice for an upcoming event, Ava demonstrated skill in navigating the course when a steer unexpectedly turned in front of her horse, causing it to spook. This resulted in Ava being thrown against a steel fence before the horse collapsed on top of her.
Describing the moment, Ava recalled the intense pain she felt in her abdomen, likening it to being winded but on a far worse scale. The severity of injuries quickly became apparent, as Ava suffered traumatic damage to multiple organs, including her gallbladder, pancreas, intestines, and bowels. She lay on the ground for about ten minutes awaiting the arrival of emergency responders, all the while knowing that she was over 800 kilometres away from the nearest children’s hospital capable of providing the care she needed.
Ava’s mother, Gina, rushed to her side and immediately recognised the severity of the situation. In a heart-wrenching account to Australian news outlet 7News, she described finding her daughter pale and bleeding, with a significant gash above her eye, while Ava expressed her distress about intense stomach pain.
Paramedic Rachel Mack from the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) arrived shortly after and assessed Ava’s critical condition, leading her to request helicopter support from LifeFlight, an aeromedical rescue service. Understanding the urgency of the situation, Mack acted quickly to ensure that Ava would receive the specialised care necessary for her survival.
Once on board the LifeFlight helicopter, Dr. Aaron Quay evaluated Ava’s injuries, confirming a spinal injury alongside extensive internal damage, including a perforated gallbladder and a torn aorta. Ava’s father, Michael St. Henry, was overwhelmed with emotion upon seeing his daughter’s condition, realising that without prompt intervention, the outcome could have been fatal.
Ava underwent multiple emergency surgeries to address the life-threatening injuries, resulting in the removal of her gallbladder as well as sections of her stomach and intestine. After spending ten days in intensive care and nearly four months in hospital, Ava’s determination and the expertise of the medical teams led to her recovery.
Reflecting on her harrowing experience, Ava acknowledged that without the swift response from LifeFlight, she might not have survived. Dr. Quay expressed the gravity of the situation, highlighting the critical role the air ambulance played in Ava’s treatment.
A year after the incident, Ava has made a remarkable recovery and has resumed riding horses. Recently, she and her family visited the LifeFlight base in Bundaberg to express their gratitude to the medical team that saved her life. In a heartfelt moment, she thanked the responders for their intervention, saying it was “amazing” to meet them and convey her appreciation.
Ava’s story serves as a reminder of the risks associated with equestrian sports, yet also highlights the importance of rapid medical intervention in critical situations. Her resilience and return to riding demonstrate both her strength and the capability of emergency services to handle life-threatening emergencies effectively.