The founder of the multimillion-pound health food brand Carmen's has shared a harrowing account of how she almost died after choking on a piece of steak during a dinner party.
A Terrifying Evening on the Farm
Carolyn Creswell, 52, recounted the frightening incident, which took place a year ago while she and her husband, Pete Creswell, were hosting guests 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, suffering a significant head wound in the process.
While awaiting emergency services, her husband and friends sprang into action. They attempted the Heimlich manoeuvre and, when that failed, performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). "Pete had only done his life-saving training on mannequins before, but it really paid off when he needed it in real life," Carolyn revealed in a detailed Instagram post.
Emergency Response and Serious Injuries
After a 30-minute wait, four ambulances arrived at the remote property. Paramedics were finally able to remove the lodged steak from her throat using medical forceps. Carolyn was then airlifted by helicopter to Melbourne's Alfred Hospital for urgent treatment.
Her injuries were extensive. She received nine stitches for the gash on her head and was treated for a concussion. The vigorous CPR, while life-saving, also resulted in broken ribs and a fractured sternum. Carolyn shared photos showing her head wound and explained that part of her hair had to be shaved during her hospital stay.
A Message of Gratitude and a Vital Warning
Carolyn concluded her story with heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped save her life. She praised the calm operator from emergency services, her husband Pete, their friend Tim, the paramedics, and the staff at The Alfred Hospital. She also gave a "huge shout-out" to lifesaving organisations that teach these critical skills.
She issued a stark warning drawn from her experience, stating that hospital staff told her "it's always the steak." Her advice was simple: "please chew WELL!" She also noted that, while she has made a full recovery, beef is "never my first pick anymore."
The businesswoman started Carmen's at age 18 in 1992, purchasing a small muesli company for $1,000. The brand is now valued at over $170 million. She married Pete Creswell in 2000, and they have four children together.
