It was a coincidence no one saw coming.
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On Monday, Ana Haling was rushed to Tamworth hospital by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service (WRHS) after she fell off her horse and injured her lower back.
Ana was riding her thoroughbred at the family's Woolbrook property when she took a tumble.
She is now home from hospital, recovering from a fractured vertebrae in the lower part of her spine and intensive bruising to her chest cavity.
Paramedics arrived from Walcha after the accident occurred at around midday on Monday, and they called on the chopper to airlift Ana to Tamworth hospital.
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Four days later, the Halings sent 159 of their weaners to Tamworth on Friday, for the ninth annual Tag a Calf Sale, which raised money for the WRHS.
In all, $4500 was raised at the sale, including a donation from the Tamworth Stock Selling Agents Association.
Over the years, thousands of dollars have been raised by the sale to help keep the service free for locals.
However, numbers were down at this year's sale due to the impacts of drought and coronavirus.
Ana's mother Tania Haling said she was blown away by the professionalism and service the WRHS delivered her daughter, giving a whole new meaning to to Friday's sale.
"We basically decided overnight that after the sale, we will donate one beast towards their cause for the help they gave Ana, getting her straight to the hospital, so it's to pay back something in return," Mrs Haling said.
In conjunction with their livestock agent Ian Morgan, the Halings took the price of their highest bidding weaner at Friday's sale and donated it to the charity.
"I didn't know how else to repay them," Mrs Haling said.
The 17-year-old is now recovering at home and Mrs Haling said their experience with the rescue helicopter was a driving force behind the donation and they plan on making it an annual contribution.
"We had never been in this position before, and when they turned up, we were just in awe of the magnitude of their work," she said.
"Four men popped out of the helicopter, they landed in two feet of grass and the trauma team were straight onto it, helping Ana."
Mrs Haling said it's a relief to have Ana home safely.
"I can keep an eye on her, but she's busting to do things outside so I've got some reins on her at the moment," she said.
Ana faces a recovery period of about four to six weeks, but is keen to jump back on her horse once she's in the clear.
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald. Email: afalkenmire@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald. Email: afalkenmire@austcommunitymedia.com.au
