The daughters of a Qantas employee, Olivia Hristovska, are seeking clarity following a serious accident that left their mother with lifelong injuries. Olivia, a 51-year-old customer service worker, fell through a hole in an airbridge at Sydney Airport last month, suffering severe injuries including head trauma, a broken clavicle, pelvis, and ribs, a collapsed lung, and a fractured spine.
Footage of the incident shows Olivia unaware of the gap beneath her as she leans closer to inspect the airbridge wall. A colleague witnessed her fall, which was from a height of six metres. In the aftermath of the accident, Olivia was placed in an induced coma and transported to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital for urgent treatment.
The family received devastating news with minimal details, causing distress for Olivia’s daughters, Monique and Sienna. Monique reported, “We were left in the dark from the outset,” stating that much of what they learned about the incident came from doctors or media rather than Qantas. The lack of communication regarding how the event occurred has left them frustrated and searching for answers.
After weeks of uncertainty, Olivia has been discharged but might never fully recover, as the extent of her brain injuries remains unknown. Monique described the emotional turmoil of witnessing her mother’s condition, saying, “It’s been traumatic, daunting, and filled with uncertainty.” She expressed gratitude that her mother survived but lamented the loss of Olivia’s former identity due to her injuries.
As her primary caregivers now, Monique and Sienna are advocating for greater support and transparency from Qantas. They are still awaiting information about the circumstances surrounding the incident. Inquiries made to Qantas regarding the event yielded no comments, while Safework stated that an investigation is ongoing, a process that could take up to two years.
Despite the anger they have felt during this harrowing time, Monique remains thankful that Olivia is alive. The family continues to grapple with the realisation that, while physical injuries can heal, the long-term effects on Olivia’s cognitive abilities may be lasting. The situation underscores the pressing need for better safety measures and communication within the workplace to prevent similar tragedies in the future.