{
  "id": 6236635,
  "title": "Six-day medical transfer wait for boy with shattered kneecap",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/six-day-medical-transfer-wait-for-boy-with-shattered-kneecap",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-08T04:41:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-08/child-waiting-days-rfds-flight-karratha-perth-shattered-kneecap/107127936"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ten-year-old Noah Ross suffered a shattered kneecap after a scooter accident at a Karratha skate park. Noah and his mother, Kayla, have endured an agonising six days of waiting in Karratha Hospital's emergency room for an aircraft transfer to Perth for specialized treatment. Noah has been unable to move from his bed, relying on constant pain medication, and has not seen sunlight for days. RFDS WA chief executive Judith Barker stated that crews are working diligently to transfer Noah as soon as possible. Unfortunately, a recent flight for Noah's transfer to Perth broke down. Karratha Hospital is currently grappling with an unusually high demand for patient transfers, leading to delays in retrieval operations. There are five patients awaiting retrieval at the hospital, all in stable condition. The WA Country Health Service (WACHS) confirms that these patients are receiving appropriate care locally. Noah's mother expressed frustration and emphasized the need for increased support to enable timely medical transfers for residents outside a safe driving distance from Perth. The RFDS operates a fleet of 17 turbo prop aircraft, 3 jets, and 2 helicopters, transporting an estimated 29 people daily. Despite the delay, Noah's mother appreciates the dedication and frustration shared by hospital staff, who are also eager to get Noah transferred to Perth for his surgery at Perth Children's Hospital.",
  "summary": "Ten-year-old Noah Ross has spent six days in Karratha hospital waiting for an RFDS flight to Perth for urgent specialist care.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}