The founder of the popular health food brand Carmen's has shared a harrowing story of how she almost died after choking on a piece of steak during a dinner party at her home.
A Terrifying Evening on the Farm
Carolyn Creswell, 52, recounted the frightening incident, which occurred a year ago while she and her husband, Pete Creswell, were hosting friends at their farm in Victoria's Gippsland region. The entrepreneur and mother of four began choking on the meat, lost consciousness, and fell to the floor, where she also split open her head.
While waiting for emergency services to arrive – a process that took 30 minutes – her husband and guests sprang into action. They attempted the Heimlich manoeuvre and performed CPR in a desperate bid to dislodge the obstruction from her throat.
Emergency Response and Serious Injuries
When four ambulances finally reached the remote location, paramedics used forceps to remove the piece of steak. Carolyn was then airlifted by helicopter to Melbourne's Alfred Hospital for urgent treatment.
Her injuries were severe: she needed nine stitches for her head wound and was treated for a concussion. The life-saving CPR also resulted in broken ribs and a fractured sternum. During her hospital stay, part of her hair had to be shaved to treat the head injury.
A Message of Gratitude and a Warning
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Creswell paid tribute to those who saved her life. She praised her husband, whose first-time use of CPR on a real person proved invaluable, and thanked the calm operator from emergency services who guided the helpers.
She also expressed eternal gratitude to the medical team at The Alfred and the lifesaving organisations that teach critical skills. "Apparently, they told me in hospital it’s always the steak… so please chew WELL!" she warned her followers, adding that beef is no longer her first meal choice.
Carolyn Creswell bought the small muesli company that became Carmen's for $1,000 in 1992 when she was just 18. The brand is now valued at over $170 million. She married Pete Creswell in 2000, and they have four children together.
