A serene night at Ball Park Caravan Park Corowa transformed into a scene of chaos recently when a large tree crashed onto a caravan. 13-year-old Noah Chandler and his grandfather, Geoff Chandler, were thrust into a nightmare that unfolded without warning, with Noah trapped inside. Thankfully, a significant community effort ensured a miraculous escape for the Geelong teenager. The pair were reunited at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne three days later. .
A 13-year-old Geelong teenager has had a miraculous escape after the caravan he was staying in at Ball Park Caravan Park was crushed by a large tree.
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Noah Chandler was camping in Corowa with his grandfather, Geoff Chandler, when the tree came crashing down at about 9.20pm on Wednesday, December 27.
Geoff told the Free Press the pair were sitting outside enjoying the evening when Noah had decided to go inside to charge his phone.
“It was a beautiful night, not a breath of air, no wind or anything. Just a lovely night,” Geoff said.
“There was a group of us outside enjoying some beers, and I went for a short walk about 10 or 12 metres away from the van. I was behind a tent so I couldn’t see the van. Then I heard a strange creaking noise.”
What followed next rocked the entire caravan park.
Noah Chander, 12, pictured after being transported to the Albury hospital after a tree struck the caravan, he was staying in.
“There was a loud bang. I looked up and there was dust everywhere,” Geoff said.
“I started running towards the van and so did all my friends. Then I saw the tree on my van, and my heart stopped because I knew Noah was in there.
“Everyone from the caravan park was running towards us. It was just chaos. I just didn’t know what to think.
“People were calling out to Noah for a good six or seven minutes with no response. That was a horrible feeling… the worst feeling in my entire life.”
A collective effort from the community ensued as individuals rallied to free Noah from the wreckage.
The Corowa Rescue Squad, police, Fire and Rescue NSW and paramedics swiftly arrived at the scene. It took the removal of the caravan’s roof to extract Noah, who was found with a broken arm, lacerations to his arms and legs, a collapsed lung, and a hematoma to his head and leg.
“It was lucky that we had a couple of nurses who were staying at the park that night,” Geoff said.
“The emergency services arrived out of nowhere. I don’t know how they arrived there so quickly.”
Geelong teenager Noah Chandler was badly injured when a tree fell on the caravan he was staying in.
Noah was promptly transported to Albury Hospital with his pop and, the following morning airlifted to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne for further medical attention.
Geoff wasn’t able to travel down with his grandson to Melbourne. However, the resilient teenager was reunited with his grandfather on the Saturday following the incident.
“I wanted to go, but I knew he was in good hands. He was talking and knew where he was,” Geoff said.
“My son came and picked me up and drove me back home. I went straight to the hospital to see him. He was in good spirits that day. He’s still a bit sore but he’s doing well.”
And according to his grandfather, he is now home with his family, recovering well.
Corowa Rescue Squad President Taz Slot praised the caravan park community for their efforts in helping free Noah from the wreckage.
“When we arrived, they’d made quite a bit of progress,” she said.
“We worked with FRNSW to get the young boy out of the van and into the ambulance.
“It was a scary situation. Our team has responded to a similar incident some years ago. It’s a timely reminder of what can happen when camping under trees. We are very relieved with the outcome.”
Geoff, a seasoned traveller to Corowa for the past three decades, expressed disbelief and shock at the incident that unfolded on that fateful night.
“To this day, I can’t stop thinking about what happened and what could have happened,” he said.
“I’ve been coming up to Corowa for 30 years, always stayed at the same park, and about four different spots within the park. The spot we were in is a really nice spot, near the fence with a bit of grass.
“It never crossed my mind that this could happen.
“I know everyone has said it’s worked out okay, but I just can’t stop thinking about where we were sitting before Noah went inside. We wouldn’t be here today.”
Geoff extended his heartfelt thanks to the Ball Park Caravan Park owners, Andrew and Sonia Palmer, the emergency services, as well as everyone who played a role in the rescue operation.
“Sonia and Andrew couldn’t have done enough. They put me up in a cabin for a couple of days. They really look after everyone in the park. To Andrew… I’ve still got my hat on,” he laughed, referring to his beloved Geelong Cats cap, which Andrew was jokingly going to throw away during the clean-up.
“I’d also like to thank my mate, Darren; he was there the entire time and followed the ambulance to the hospital with me. Thanks to his wife Margaret. A big thank you to Jason and Kristy Deery- Jason was one of the first ones on the scene. Thanks also to Simone, Laura, Eileen, Bones, Bret, Luke and Bridget. Anyone who turned up to support Noah in any particular way, or our family and friends- thank you!”
Despite the harrowing ordeal, Geoff said he would be returning to Corowa.
“I love it up there. I would love to retire in Corowa. It’s a beautiful place,” he said.
The Chandler family now looks forward to putting this traumatic event behind them, counting their blessings for Noah’s miraculous survival.
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