Heroes in hard hats: How quick-thinking tradies rescued senior citizen from collapsed house!
- Replies 8
In a heart-stopping incident that underscores the unpredictability of life and the resilience of community spirit, a group of quick-thinking tradesmen became unexpected heroes in the quiet suburb of Ashgrove.
Their heroic actions saved the life of an 85-year-old woman when her heritage-listed home tragically collapsed following days of relentless rain.
The collapse left the neighbourhood in shock, with residents rallying together to support the elderly woman and each other in the aftermath.
The incident occurred on a Thursday morning when the saturated grounds gave way, causing the house to slip off its stumps and partially collapse, sliding down the hill.
The loud crash caught the attention of tradie Reef Urquhart, who was working across the street.
The sound of the disaster was met with immediate action as Mr Urquhart and his colleagues dashed to the scene, driven by concern and a sense of duty.
Upon arrival, the tradies faced a scene of chaos. The house, a fixture in the neighbourhood for decades, was now a perilous pile of debris and memories.
With the homeowner's car in the driveway, the men knew that time was of the essence.
They entered the house, calling out for Josephine Curties, their voices cutting through the silence of the wreckage.
The elderly resident was found attempting to escape through the front door, which was obstructed by the remnants of her once-sturdy home.
Surrounded by her antiques and personal belongings, she was in a state of shock but, miraculously, not in severe pain.
With care and urgency, one of the tradies carried Ms Curties to safety, her injuries amounting to only a few cuts and the need for aid on her toe.
Paramedics arrived to assess Ms Curties, confirming that her physical injuries were minor.
However, the emotional toll of seeing her home of 50 years reduced to rubble was immeasurable.
Her daughter, Mandy Curties Patridge, rushed to her mother's side, expressing profound gratitude for the tradies' bravery and the sheer luck that her mother had survived such a catastrophe.
The house, which had withstood the test of time, could not resist the forces of nature that had been particularly harsh recently.
The heavy rain had taken its toll, and in the aftermath, the family faced the reality that the house was beyond repair.
Yet, in the face of loss, there was a silver lining. Ms Curties had already been preparing to downsize to a flat in Toowong, a transition that the unfortunate event would now accelerate.
In the interim, Ms Curties would find refuge with her family, a testament to the strength and support loved ones provide in times of need.
Her daughter's heartfelt thanks to the tradies who acted without hesitation highlighted the extraordinary courage and community spirit that often goes unnoticed but is ever-present in our neighbourhoods.
The Brisbane City Council responded to the incident by dispatching a structural engineer to investigate the cause of the collapse, ensuring that the safety of other heritage-listed homes in the area is not at risk.
How would you handle an emergency like this in your neighbourhood? What can be done to protect old homes from extreme weather? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.
Their heroic actions saved the life of an 85-year-old woman when her heritage-listed home tragically collapsed following days of relentless rain.
The collapse left the neighbourhood in shock, with residents rallying together to support the elderly woman and each other in the aftermath.
The incident occurred on a Thursday morning when the saturated grounds gave way, causing the house to slip off its stumps and partially collapse, sliding down the hill.
The loud crash caught the attention of tradie Reef Urquhart, who was working across the street.
The sound of the disaster was met with immediate action as Mr Urquhart and his colleagues dashed to the scene, driven by concern and a sense of duty.
An 85-year-old woman was rescued after her heritage-listed house in Ashgrove partially collapsed due to heavy rain. Credit: Depositphotos
Upon arrival, the tradies faced a scene of chaos. The house, a fixture in the neighbourhood for decades, was now a perilous pile of debris and memories.
With the homeowner's car in the driveway, the men knew that time was of the essence.
They entered the house, calling out for Josephine Curties, their voices cutting through the silence of the wreckage.
The elderly resident was found attempting to escape through the front door, which was obstructed by the remnants of her once-sturdy home.
Surrounded by her antiques and personal belongings, she was in a state of shock but, miraculously, not in severe pain.
With care and urgency, one of the tradies carried Ms Curties to safety, her injuries amounting to only a few cuts and the need for aid on her toe.
Paramedics arrived to assess Ms Curties, confirming that her physical injuries were minor.
However, the emotional toll of seeing her home of 50 years reduced to rubble was immeasurable.
Her daughter, Mandy Curties Patridge, rushed to her mother's side, expressing profound gratitude for the tradies' bravery and the sheer luck that her mother had survived such a catastrophe.
The house, which had withstood the test of time, could not resist the forces of nature that had been particularly harsh recently.
The heavy rain had taken its toll, and in the aftermath, the family faced the reality that the house was beyond repair.
Yet, in the face of loss, there was a silver lining. Ms Curties had already been preparing to downsize to a flat in Toowong, a transition that the unfortunate event would now accelerate.
In the interim, Ms Curties would find refuge with her family, a testament to the strength and support loved ones provide in times of need.
Her daughter's heartfelt thanks to the tradies who acted without hesitation highlighted the extraordinary courage and community spirit that often goes unnoticed but is ever-present in our neighbourhoods.
The Brisbane City Council responded to the incident by dispatching a structural engineer to investigate the cause of the collapse, ensuring that the safety of other heritage-listed homes in the area is not at risk.
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