An elderly couple who survived a violent home invasion and stabbing in a small country town are recovering from their injuries, with their harrowing experience bringing renewed attention to the critical lack of mobile phone coverage in the area. Keith and Di Blessing, aged 75 and 72 respectively, were asleep in their Torrington home on June 4 when Joshua Dylan Trethewey, 34, allegedly broke in and attacked them.
Ms Blessing suffered a chest wound, while Mr. Blessing was slashed across the abdomen. He then reportedly fought back and shot Trethewey in self-defense. Both Blessings were airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital in critical condition and underwent emergency surgery. Trethewey, who was also seriously injured, recently awoke from an induced coma.
Di Blessing detailed the "fight or flight" decision she and her husband were forced to make due to the absence of reliable mobile phone service in Torrington, a town with a population of 77. "When you are faced with a situation like this the mind goes into fight or flight mode. We fought. Long and hard," Ms. Blessing wrote in a letter to local federal MP Barnaby Joyce. "But the reality was we didn’t have a great choice. We have a signal booster which amplifies the tiny phone signal available. It only works around the immediate vicinity of the house. So if we had chosen 'flight' beyond the house, we would not have been able to phone for help."
This issue was a central topic at a community meeting on Saturday, where Ms. Blessing's daughter, Kathy, shared an update on her parents' recovery. "They've got a long way to go, but they're a very strong couple and they're getting there," Kathy told Nine News. "They're recovering. They're going to be a lot more security conscious going forward." She added, "Lives are at risk if calls don't come through. Everyone should have the right to call triple-0 and get the emergency services they need."
State MP Janelle Saffin is collaborating with Mr. Joyce to advocate for upgraded mobile reception in the area. Police confirmed at the community meeting that the investigation into the alleged home invasion remains active, with Inspector James Parsons noting the possibility of further charges. Trethewey remains under police guard at Armidale Hospital. He has been charged with two counts of causing wounding or grievous bodily harm with intent to murder and was refused bail in a bedside hearing. His next court appearance is scheduled for August.