In August 2021, Darwin man Chris Garner's lung suddenly collapsed.
He was rushed to Royal Darwin Hospital in the early hours of the morning, and after a quick procedure was put on a CareFlight plane to Adelaide.
"I didn't even get a chance to say goodbye to my two little girls, I just had to be flown straight away," Mr Garner said.
After being placed in a coma and undergoing surgery, Mr Garner woke six days later in intensive care.
He said he woke with amnesia, remembering his family but not that he was a teacher in Darwin, and forgetting how to walk, read and write.
Ruth Garner said it was a difficult experience for her, as her husband remained in a coma.
"I knew how close to the wire it was, and so that he woke up was a huge relief."
Eight months later, Mr Garner was today reunited in Darwin with the CareFlight crew that helped safe his life.
"You just feel a rush of emotion," he said.
"It's a bit overwhelming."
Jody Lee was the nurse on Mr Garner's flight, along with pilots Marc White and Nick Palad.
"It's very special when you get to see somebody that you've taken down who's so unwell, to be up walking around and making an amazing recovery," she said.
"It makes us very proud of ourselves in the way that we conduct ourselves and treat patients."
Paying it back
Mr Garner said he was incredibly thankful for the help of the CareFlight crew.
"When I realised it was CareFlight that had saved my life, I just burst into tears, I was so grateful," he said.
"[And] just so grateful that there are other lives in the Territory that they save."
Mr Garner is now volunteering for the organisation and has also signed up to a fundraiser next month.
He will be walking 180 kilometres during the month to raise money for CareFlight, while continuing his rehabilitation.
"My choice is to do some walking on the treadmill," he said.
"So I'll be walking as part of my rehab every day."
CareFlight's fundraising manager Joann Rutherford said funds raised from the Territory Challenge will go directly to supporting Careflight.
"Our crews in the Top End fly 80,000 kilometres every month to care for patients," she said.
