A Townsville boy has met again with the Queensland police officers who helped save his life five years ago.
Tyler Dorta was 10 when he fell from backyard playground equipment in September 2020 and suffered a life-threatening injury. Family members started CPR and called Triple Zero. Sergeant Ash Cunningham and Senior Constable Chantell Solomona were the first officers at the scene and took over CPR until paramedics arrived.
This week, the pair were reunited with Tyler at the QPS Northern District Office in Townsville.
Acting Inspector Darren Randall, who organised the reunion, praised the officers’ response.
“When Sergeant Cunningham and Senior Constable Solomona arrived on scene, they were confronted with a stressed family in a critical situation, but their quick responses saw them take control of the situation and take over from the family’s life-saving CPR efforts until paramedics arrived,” Acting Inspector Randall said.
“Organising a reunion for our officers to see the young man they helped save five years ago is a truly extraordinary opportunity to show the impact their work has on our community in a positive way.”
Sergeant Cunningham said the incident shaped how she approached the job.
“I was fresh out of the police academy and was getting ready to finish my shift for the day when the call came in,” she said.
“We worked as a team that day and achieved the best possible outcome for Tyler and his family, which is why we do this work.”
Senior Constable Solomona said the reunion had a strong impact on her.
“You join this job with an innate want to protect and serve the community,” Senior Constable Solomona said.
“Being able to reunite with Tyler, to see a thriving young boy and know that we were a part of him being here today is surreal.
“I recently found the card Tyler made us when he left hospital which said, ‘Thank you for saving me, you are my heroes’, which I’ll keep with me as a memento for the rest of my career.”
Tyler’s mother, Damita Dorta, said her family would always be grateful.
“Not all stories like ours have a happy ending and we are so grateful to the police officers who came through our gate that day,” Ms Dorta said.
“My son is here today because of their contribution and our family will always be thankful.”
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