Urban Escape

Sad News……….

On the 16th of May, Craig Withers from Urban Escape and 2 close friends were involved in a horrendous helicopter crash in a very remote part of the Northern Territory.

To the astonishment of emergency services, all 4 passengers survived, albeit with varying degrees of injuries and trauma.

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Previous to this incident..

In 2015 Craig had a disastrous hip surgery with ongoing complications.
Since then he has had to learn to walk again 7 times and endured 9 surgeries.
At one stage Craig spent almost 2 yrs permanently in hospital, wheelchair bound and it was uncertain if he would be able to walk ever again.
So before being readmitted to hospital for another related surgery, Craig was taking a very rare, long overdue break before having to face hospital again and further rehabilitation.
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Sadly, it was on this break that Craig (along with 2 close friends) was a passenger in a horrific helicopter crash.

At 3.50pm on Monday the 16th May; the catastrophic engine failure occurred at 130m while travelling at 145 kph.

Investigators from WorkSafe and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau were astounded anyone survived considering the aircraft was completely destroyed after plummeting into huge trees and boulders in extremely thick, dense and remote bush land .

The impact from the accident was so violent that it still haunts him and those involved vividly.

As Craig was in the co-pilots seat (also referred to as the deadman’s seat by emergency services) he took the initial brunt of the impact, causing extremely serious injuries.
Both friends suffered impact injuries consistent with such a crash - cuts, whiplash, bruised ribs, etc.. and all suffered the psychological trauma of such a violent accident.

While the extent of Craig’s injuries are still under investigation, and will be for some time -potentially 3-6 months+ due to the considerable nerve damage..

The most significant being:
* broken back in 6 places
* 9 severely broken and displaced ribs
* 2 extensively collapsed lungs
* sheering of the spinal cord
* compression/sheer of the brachial plexus
* severe psychological trauma
… along with countless other impact injuries.
Many still to be identified due to his limited capability to move.

The pilot is fine and evacuated quickly. Unfortunately dropping on Craig heavily as he exited.

Craig: “I could hear my mate screaming for his wife, which while frightening also meant he was alive, which was good. I couldn’t hear his wife and sheer terror was rushing through me as I didn’t know if she was alive until I heard her voice.”

To make matters worse, fuel was gushing out everywhere and there was NO fire extinguisher or EPIRB on board. This meant they had no contact with the outside world. No possibility of calling for help and in the event of fire, little chance of survival in such thick bush.

“I couldn’t get out the chopper, to afraid to move as I was sure I was impaled on a tree.
Knowing full well that if I undid my seatbelt I would literally bleed out right there.”

“My mind was calm but my body was in excruciating pain from being crushed to bits. The first big tree had come through the window, straight at me and the impact had destroyed my internals and my arm suffered severe hematoma’s and cuts.
My mate was yelling at me to evacuate due to the fuel and I calmly told him I couldn’t due to being impaled on a tree.
He was asking for a fire extinguisher but the pilot said there wasn’t one.
I asked my mate to check my side before I risked moving and he pulled up my shirt and said there’s nothing there - that’s when I realised it was my own broken bones that were slicing through me. “

“I undid my seatbelt and (as there was a huge risk of fire from the leaking fuel and busted up chopper) climbed out the broken windscreen.”

They had no ability to contact the outside world due to the lack of essential communication devices like an EPIRB*, and with the Automatic Crash Activated EPIRB failing, the only chance was a very basic sat sleeve device the pilot had which attaches to a phone app (as opposed to a properly secured Sat phone in a protective case), and this was also not functioning.

With no help or any possibility of help, and to escape the threat of fire they were forced to hike a torturous 90 mins through thick bush and extremely difficult terrain to safety.

“My mate is a brilliant navigator and luckily my phone had the HEMA GPS app - thankfully using this, he led us to safety.

I couldn’t straighten up due to broken ribs and could only shuffle my feet along as it felt like there were 1000 spears tearing through my insides. It was excruciating but I knew my job was to try and keep up - the last thing I wanted was to be the cause of my friends being burned to death because I was to slow.
So I bit down hard and kept moving.”

Nighttime comes pretty quick in the bush and they were well aware of the dangers of being stuck overnight. Particularly with significant internal injuries and internal bleeding.

Thankfully they were spotted just before dark and the process began to get medical attention.

This involved a substantial operation by CareFlight which took 12 hrs and involved 2 seperate helicopter transports and a fixed wing ambulance before finally arriving at Royal Darwin Hospital just before 4am the following day.

“Amazingly both my friends were able to walk away without more serious injuries. Certainly not without injury but thankfully without completely busted bodies.“

Craig has been in the Spinal Unit at Royal Darwin Hospital for 3 wks. Unable to be moved as his extensive injuries were deemed far to dangerous to risk transferring him anywhere at this stage.

Hospital itself has not been easy. Craig has already undergone 2 spinal surgeries and is now dealing with a serious staph infection introduced in surgery. This has created a huge cavity down his back put extra pressure on the spinal injuries. Seriously restricting any movement of the right arm and impeding his ability to ward off pneumonia due to the inability to complete essential breathing exercises.

Those that know of Craig’s previous surgeries are aware that he has extremely complex prosthesis from knee to hip on both sides. The most dangerous complication for anyone with an implant is a staph infection - it attaches to the metal resulting in significant (& sometimes multiple) surgeries to replace the prosthetic and IV antibiotics are usually required for 6-12months.

Craig had chosen to keep this extremely quiet to focus on the battle ahead and hopefully avoid the possibility of ending up in a wheelchair permanently.

Some have heard via mutual friends or worked out Craig was the ‘seriously injured’ passenger (NT News) and have generously offered a variety of support.
This includes the need for a primary carer as Craig will be unable to travel for awhile and will have to stay up in Darwin, heavily restricted but unable to leave until medical clearance is given to fly.
Undoubtedly the associated psychological issue’s related to flying, will surely be another obstacle to overcome.

Craig has very little ability to focus or concentrate and responding to numerous people is simply beyond him right now.

He certainly thanks everyone that has reached out to him and truly appreciates all support offered and given, but is not able to respond to everyone individually at this time.

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While insurance should eventually cover any associated medical costs - these things take time and sadly don’t cover the impact on a business for loss of revenue.

With the rehabilitation process for the spinal cord and brachial plexus trauma expected to take 3-6months minimum, we have decided we will create a GoFundMe page in the coming weeks.

The focus is to minimise the financial impact throughout this extremely challenging time by assisting with rents mortgage, and related costs that are not covered by insurance.

Let alone loss of income created due to the inability of Craig to train the team, motivate, coach, guide or contribute yo the business in any way, whilst he battles an extensive rehabilitation process.

The number one priority is to allow Craig the space, financially and mentally for him to focus on his recovery. Fingers x’d with time and space, he can recover back to a level where he is able to once again contribute, in some way, to the hairdressing community. An industry to which he has dedicated the last 29yrs of his life too, and would happily do another 29. 💇🏼‍♀️💛

GoFundMe : https://gofund.me/814a4c1a

Australian Hairdressing Council

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Fresh hair & teeny tiny evil eye earrings 🍋🧿

Still holding onto those Summer Vibes.
At Urban Escape we specialise in blonde hair. Foils that look natural and hair that looks healthy and sparkles. ✨✨
It is important to us to maintain the integrity of the hair, whilst achieving the desired result our guests are after.
All blondes have an Aveda Botanical Repair treatment included in their service. This is a 3 step approach which strengthens the bonds in the hair and also protects against UV damage, thermal damage and dehydration.
Our gorgeous guest blonde hair always looks luxurious.
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2020 has struck its Magic Again!!!!! 😜
Happy NEW Year. 🥳🥳
Duke and Dazey celebrated in style with our favourite bottle of champagne. 🥂
We would like to say that we are very grateful after 2 years and counting, of the world going mad and the salon being shut 7 out of the last 12 months, that our doors are still open and we are continuing to do what we Love.💕💕
We are grateful for the team we have around us, their endless enthusiasm, their passion and dedication to the salon and their love of all things Hair.
We are grateful for our Guests, you make up a huge part of the heart and soul of Urban Escape, without all your support over the years we would not be here. 🙏🏼🙏🏼
We are so lucky to have such an amazing community around us, authentic, genuine, good souls with beautiful hearts.
Although the years have been tough, we will always do our best to stay positive and spread our magic and cheer amongst all.
2022 will not be an easy year as we already can see but we hope that the storm clouds ⛈will eventually disappear and there will be nothing but rainbows 🌈………. Perhaps with a pot of gold, could certainly do with that!!!!
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Merry Christmas from the Urban Escape family.
We wish you all a season of Joy, Love and Laughter.
May you spend it with those you love, doing what you Love.
Xx
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To DANCE……..
This a great reminder of how we should all step into the world everyday.
Dance is also powerful in shifting stagnant/negative energy.
It is freeing for the soul and you can’t help but smile when you move.

Dance your way into Xmas with lots of love, laughter and kindness to yourself and others.
💜✨💜

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Aaah, it feels great to have a new hairstyle, thanks Roman ! 👍🏼💇🏻❤️‍🔥

Week 1 done……….
Is it Halloween or is this what life out of lockdown looks like? 😜
Happy Halloween to all and a Happy first week of enjoying sometime spent out and about, our beautiful city.
We certainly loved dressing up for our trick or treaters today and having some fun!!!!!!
Check out our story for more Spooky Halloween pics. 👻🎃
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To all our amazing guests and to all fellow Victorians.
We can not wait to Open our doors and get back to doing what we love. 💕💕
Although it’s still awhile away………
Once we reopen, we will be here to make you smile, to pamper you, to shower you with love. To be here to listen, to make you laugh, to be a shoulder to cry on. To be your stylist and your confidant.
We are more than a salon, we are family, we are a community. 💫✨
We are and we support you no matter what choice you have made.
All we care for is that you are happy, healthy…….mentally and physically and you have made the right choice for YOU!!
We will WELCOME you all with open arms. There is only Love and compassion in our heart and soul.
Thank you all for your continued support and the love you have shown us.
Love
The Urban Escape Team
Xx
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Spring has Sprung and we have had some glorious days upon us!!!!
We are feeling the Copper Vibes right now. 🧡🧡
The team at Urban Escape hopes that you have gotten out there and enjoyed the sun on your face, soaked up some Vitamin D, breathed in some fresh air, taken a long walk or just hung out in a park. Being outdoors is good for the SOUL✨✨🦋
These keys elements are all important to us staying healthy, mentally and physically.

We miss you all and Miss doing what we love.
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