$10,000 thank you gift
A YEAR ago Tony and Vicki Wilson didn't think they'd ever be lucky enough to be able to thank the workers who saved their lives.
The former Moranbah residents who now live in Mackay were seriously injured in a head-on collision on the Bruce Hwy, 10km north of Carmila, on May 2 last year.
German tourist Alex Lang, who was a passenger in the other vehicle, died in the crash.
The Wilsons spent months in Mackay Base Hospital Intensive Care Unit recovering from horrific injuries.
Yesterday they donated $10,000 to RACQ-CQ Rescue, which was involved in the rescue operation.
Mr Wilson said he couldn't express his gratitude.
"It's a great cause... we all think about it but we never think we'd have to use it."
He said he still had doubts about driving on the Bruce Hwy.
"You just can't relax as much," he said.
"I've driven back and forth to Brisbane a few times (since the crash). You sort of wonder what's going to come around the corner."
Mrs Wilson recalled the day of the collision.
"It was such a shock," she said. "It was a normal week for us.
"We were going to stop at Carmila, that was the weird part about it.
"I was fast asleep and I think that's what saved me.
"I think if I was awake and tensed up I might have had more injuries."
CQ Rescue public relations and community co-ordinator Louise Blines said the donation was unexpected.
"It was an honour and a privilege to be able to meet and talk with Tony and Vicki today (yesterday)," she said.
"It's not a cheap thing to operate a rescue helicopter service so their donation will really go a long way in supporting our operating costs."
A police spokesman said no charges had been laid in relation to the crash.
