Two absolute legendary Aussie paramedics have received praise around the world for granting a terminally ill patient her dying wish.
Credit: 9 News
The woman told the Queensland emergency service workers that she wanted to see the beach one last time before she went into palliative care at a hospital, and they didn't hesitate to take her to the waters at Hervey Bay.
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Queensland Ambulance Service has written on Facebook: "The patient expressed that she just wished she could be at the beach again. Above and beyond, the crew took a small diversion to the awesome beach at Hervey Bay to give the patient this opportunity - tears were shed and the patient felt very happy.
"Sometimes it is not the drugs/training/skills - sometimes all you need is empathy to make a difference!"
Graeme Cooper was one of the two paramedics that granted the wish, and has told reporters: "I can't describe the feeling when you're in these situations with people. Just the fact of the joy that it brings to them; it's a spark they get back in their own eyes."
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"We're very fortunate we're in the role we do... if you're sensitive to your surroundings... When a window of opportunity opens up, take it.
"I thought if all these rocks weren't here I'd get down into my jocks and take you into the ocean... and I would have... however I thought the next best thing was I can get some ocean and bring it to her."
The team took her to a spot where she could see the pier, as well as Fraser Island and Point Burrum. Not the worst place to be.
Credit: Queensland Ambulance Service
The Facebook post has gone viral, with nearly 50,000 people liking, sharing and commenting on the picture.
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Many have congratulated the pair of paramedics for their gesture, with one person writing: "Dignity is one of the last things you can give to a person at the end of their life journey, this was dignity personified by the crew, thank you for giving me faith that there are still human beings who truly care and give to the nth degree in what they do for their fellow humans."
Other paramedics have also flocked to the social media site to share their stories of similar encounters.
One that is sitting at the top of the comments section is from Darren Booker, who said: "I had a situation where the patient was taking her last ride home. She asked to see the beach one last time.
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"After going the beach and opening the rear door, we asked her if would like an ice cream, to which she replied yes with a giggle of delight.
"A short time later the hardly licked ice cream fell to the floor. The patient had passed away. As she lay there still smiling at the last view that she ever saw, we had a minute's silence for her."
It's a beautiful and tear-jerking moment of humanity that reminds us of the awesome job emergency service workers do on a daily basis.
Featured Image Credit: Queensland Ambulance ServiceTopics: World News, Inspirational, Hospital, Feels, Australia