St John Ambulance has launched an immediate investigation into an incident which delayed the transfer of a critically injured patient from Meekatharra to Perth.
Police say a 22-year-old man was injured in a single motorcycle crash in Meekatharra in the Mid West on Thursday evening.
Officers attended the scene on Cemetery Road about 5.50pm, where the rider was taken to the local Meekatharra Hospital.
An RFDS flight was arranged, but the ABC understands there was difficulty finding a St John Ambulance crew to transport the man from the hospital to the airport.
WA Police say they were able to arrange with local mine site Westgold to assist in the transport of the man to the Royal Flying Doctors air base.
Police then escorted the ambulance to the airport.
St John Ambulance says "a telecommunications challenge" prevented the deployment of a crew.
It said it had nine volunteers based in Meekatharra, supported by a community paramedic.
Westgold resources limited confirmed it was contacted to assist in an immediate patient transfer on Friday morning.
"We have a responsibility to help the local community and wider region whenever possible," Westgold Managing Director Wayne Bramwell said.
"Our in-house paramedics were quick to respond to the call-out and we are pleased to have assisted with the safe transfer of the patient to the Flying Doctors base."
He remains in a critical condition with multi-trauma injuries, in ICU at Royal Perth Hospital.
Police say the circumstances surrounding the crash, including the exact location are being investigated.
