Heartbreaking moment an Aussie veteran, 62, suffers flashbacks during coronavirus isolation

An Australian navy veteran is suffering painful flashbacks while trapped in a tiny hotel room as part of a 14-day coronavirus isolation, saying he ‘won’t survive’.

The veteran, who gave his name as David, pleaded with officials to give him just 30 minutes of isolated time outside, fearing he may kill himself if locked in for longer.

His heartbroken wife Caroline shared devastating footage showing David sobbing on the floor of their room at the Crown Promenade hotel in Perth.

The 80sq-metre hotel room has been triggering for David, 62, because it reminds him of his near-death experience. 

When he was in the navy he nearly died after becoming trapped inside a fuel tank as it started to fill.

David (pictured) is suffering badly with his mental health while holed up in a Perth hotel room during COVID-19 isolation

Australian navy veteran David (pictured, left and right) is suffering severe PTSD and crippling flashbacks while holed up in a Perth hotel room for a 14-day COVID-19 isolation period

David was just moments away from death in the incident more than 40 years ago, but the hatch opened at the last minute to let him out.

After returning from the Vasco da Gama cruise ship, the couple are now half-way through the two-week isolation, in a small room with no balcony and no way out.

Desperately sobbing in a heap on the floor, his wife said her husband keeps re-living the incident – believing he is back in the fuel tank.

He suffers from severe PTSD. 

‘I do not want to commit suicide’, David pleaded.

‘I can’t….I won’t, I won’t do it. I won’t survive.

David (pictured) is reliving a near-death experience from when he was in the navy

The navy veteran (pictured) says the cramped hotel is reminding him of when he nearly died in a fuel tank

David (pictured, left and right) is pleading with officials in Perth to let him have fresh air in isolation for just 30 minutes a day – fearing he may harm himself if trapped for any longer

‘First there’ll be self-harm, and second, there’ll be a suicide.’

But officials have told them that spending just 30 minutes outside isn’t possible, with the couple now begging to be transferred to a hotel on Rottnest Island – which has balconies and more space.

Describing David’s flashbacks, his worried wife said he is physically re-living the incident, crawling on the floor to freedom as if he were back in the fuel tank.

‘So you see him going through the tunnel,’ she told Seven News.

‘And eventually he reaches the man-hole, and you can see him pushing on the man-hole and realising it’s locked, and breaking down and crying.

‘And suddenly release, as the man-hole’s opened. And he reaches up and he’s pulled up with one arm out of the tank.’ 

David says he cannot hold out for the remaining week in total isolation before they’re allowed to fly home to Brisbane.

A quarantined man is seen at the window of the InterContinental hotel in Sydney on March 31

A quarantined man is seen at the window of the InterContinental hotel in Sydney on March 31

Police are seen guarding the Swissotel in Sydney's CBD, where hundreds of returning Australians are spending 14-days in isolation

Police are seen guarding the Swissotel in Sydney’s CBD, where hundreds of returning Australians are spending 14-days in isolation

Psychologist Nora D Larsen told Seven News the situation would ‘end tragically’ unless action is taken to help David.

‘There is a need to put things into action to change his circumstances,’ she said.

CORONAVIRUS CASES IN AUSTRALIA: 5,550

New South Wales: 2,493

Victoria: 1,115

Queensland: 900

Western Australia: 436

South Australia: 407

Australian Capital Territory: 93

Tasmania: 80

Northern Territory: 26

TOTAL CASES:  5,550

DEAD: 30

‘Because he is highly likely to do himself harm and the situation will end tragically.

‘It’s understandable that he’s requesting to be let outside for some time each day.’ 

It comes after the Australian government ordered all new arrivals in the country must enter a 14-day isolation in a series of hotels across the country.

This is to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus, which has killed 30 people in Australia and infected 5,550 as of Saturday night.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that the majority of the country’s patients were Australians returning from overseas.

But many have criticised the ‘prison-like’ conditions, with travellers unable to leave their rooms or get any sunlight and fresh air. 

If you need someone to talk to confidentially, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978.

There is also the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. 

Hundreds of travellers are holed up in hotels across Australia for a 14-day isolation period, including this Novotel in Sydney's Darling Harbour

Hundreds of travellers are holed up in hotels across Australia for a 14-day isolation period, including this Novotel in Sydney’s Darling Harbour

 

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