The founder of popular food brand Carmen’s has revealed she came close to death after choking on a piece of steak.
Carolyn Creswell, 52, shared details of her frightening ordeal in an Instagram post on Friday and paid tribute to those who saved her life – including her husband, Pete Creswell.
The entrepreneur and mother of four said her health scare occurred a year ago while hosting a dinner party alongside Pete on their farm in Victoria’s Gippsland.
After choking on the meat, the millionaire businesswoman passed out and fell to the floor, splitting open her head.
While waiting for emergency services to attend the scene, Carolyn’s husband and guests ‘tried everything’, including CPR, to dislodge the steak from her throat.
Four ambulances arrived after 30 minutes and paramedics removed the steak from Carolyn’s throat using forceps.
Founder of popular food brand Carmen’s, Carolyn Creswell, has revealed she came close to death after choking on a piece of steak
She was then taken to Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital via helicopter, where she received nine stitches for her head wound and was treated for a concussion, broken ribs from the CPR and a fractured sternum.
Carolyn also shared photos of her head wound and explained she had to shave part of her hair during her hospital stay.Â
She added that Pete’s life-saving training paid off as he and a friend tried the ‘Heimlich manoeuvre’ to dislodge the steak before performing CPR.
‘Pete had only done his life-saving training on mannequins before, but it really paid off when he needed it in real life,’ she said.
‘Apparently, it’s not good CPR if it doesn’t break a few things!’
She finished her story with a touching message to everyone who contributed to saving her life.
‘As I watch all the kids going to nippers this summer, I just wanted to do a huge shout-out to @lifesavingvic for teaching skills that might save someone’s (like mine!) life.
‘To the calm and very encouraging lady on the phone at 000 who talked the boys through it.Â
The entrepreneur and mother of four said her health scare occurred a year ago while hosting a dinner party alongside Pete on their farm in Victoria’s Gippsland. She received nine stitches for her head wound and was treated for a concussion, broken ribs from the CPR and a fractured sternum
Pictured: A throwback image of her young family, including husband Pete Creswell
‘To my darling husband Pete and amazing [friend] Tim for the CPR.’
She also thanked the health professionals at The Alfred Hospital and added a message to her own team at Carmen’s.
‘Eternally grateful every day for a 100% recovery.Â
‘Apparently, they told me in hospital it’s always the steak… so please chew WELL! And somehow I was offered beef every meal, but it’s never my first pick anymore… xx’
Many of Carolyn’s friends and followers responded to her heartfelt story.
‘Gosh, it’s been a whole year! The world is a much better place with you in it,’ commented one person, who then joked: ‘Am thinking there won’t be a beef line coming to the Carmen’s range anytime soon!’
Said another follower: ‘Oh honey, what a traumatic experience. I’m so sorry you’ve been through all this, but so happy you’ve made it through.
‘Thank goodness you are here to tell this story,’ added a third person.
Carolyn started her business at 18 after buying a small muesli company for just $1,000 in 1992.
The brand, which offers a range of health foods, is now worth more than $170 million.
Carolyn married Pete Creswell in 2000, and they share four children –Â Will, Lily, Oliver and Grace.
Daily Mail has reached out to the Carmen’s founder for comment.Â
