On 29 September, 2025 the life of 14-year-old Kaiden Harris unexpectedly changed forever and today he has thanked the first responders who were there to support him on one of the hardest days of his young life.
That day started out like any other for Kaiden, he took his off-road motorbike to the Salt Flats near North Short Boulevard, Bushland Beach before tragically crashing his motorbike about 11.30am.
Kaiden sustained horrific injuries including, a crushed spinal cord (T9-T10), internal injuries, five broken ribs, collapsed lungs and a fractured femur.
Despite a nine-hour emergency surgery to decompress his spinal cord at T8/9 and fuse his spine T6 to T11, Kaiden's spinal cord was so damaged that he is now paralysed from the waist down.
After the crash, Kaiden spent seven days in Townsville ICU before being transferred by Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS) to the Queensland Children's Hospital in Brisbane where he stayed for 106 days for his recovery and rehabilitation.
Kaiden said he doesn't remember much from that day, only how calm the first responders were, providing comfort in moments of fear and working tirelessly under immense pressure.
Today, he has attended Burdell Ambulance Station to thank the officers and paramedics who were first on scene and helped save his life.
Kaiden said he remembers joking with first responders and the support and kindness they showed.
"It is good to be here and see the officers and paramedics that were there on the day," Kaiden said.
Mum, Kristy Harris said the last six months have been full of ups and downs, but they couldn't be prouder of the progress Kaiden has made.
"He has faced so many challenges since the accident, from learning to sit up again to learning how to use a wheelchair, but he has pushed himself to the limit to get to where he is today," Kristy said.
"The strength and determination he has shown, over the past six months, is incredible."
Dad, Glen Harris said there is still a long road ahead, but they now want to bring awareness to the importance of always wearing safety gear.
"Kaiden is an experienced rider and was wearing all the right gear on the day and that is one of the only reasons he is here today," Glen said.
"Now we want to bring awareness to the issue and make sure that all kids are wearing the right gear when they are out riding."
QPS officer Constable James Pegg said he was one of the first responders to arrive on scene and they immediately provided first aide to stabilise Kaiden before paramedics arrived.
"He was an absolute trooper the whole way through the incident and it is amazing to see him today," Constable Pegg said.
"It is great to be able to be here with paramedics and Kaiden's whole family and see the result of the hard work that all first responders do each and every day."
Advanced Care Paramedic Chimaraoke Okoro said it was a big scene, but they knew they needed to act quickly and stabilise Kaiden to get him to hospital.
"He was a very good patient and extremely brave," Paramedic Okoro said.
"This is one of the jobs that has stuck with me. We don't often get to meet our patients after but it is great be able to meet Kaiden again today and see how great he is doing."
Kaiden is continuing to build his life up and stay active and now plays wheelchair basketball with the Suncity wheelers.
