Mackay Man Thanks First Responders After Life-Threatening Airport Emergency

A holiday trip to New Zealand took a frightening turn for Mackay’s Nick Bennett last month when he suffered a sudden and life-threatening medical emergency at Mackay Airport.

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The former police officer, who now works as a facilitator, team builder and performance coach, was preparing to board a flight with his wife Rowena when he suddenly began feeling faint and his blood pressure dropped rapidly.

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While Rowena went to get him some water, Nick collapsed at the airport. Initially, it was thought he may have been suffering a stroke.

In fact, he was experiencing severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding, resulting in a dangerous drop in blood pressure and haemorrhagic shock.

“There was blood everywhere, so my wife called immediately for help and an ambulance. The airport fire crews arrived quickly and an ambulance followed,” Nick said.

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“Rowena, the amazing woman that she is and so calm in the moment, organised our bags off the plane, all while this crisis was happening.”

Nick was quickly attended to by airport fire crews and paramedics before being transported by ambulance, under lights and sirens, to the Mackay Base Hospital Emergency Department.

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“I honestly thought I was gone; there was so much blood, about 2.5 litres apparently,” he said.

“I had no control over my body and I felt my life blood just rushing out.”

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Nick was given four bags of blood before being rushed into emergency surgery, where medical staff located and treated the source of the bleeding.

He spent four days in the surgical unit before being discharged to continue his recovery at home.

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The experience was another in a spate of medical events for Nick, who previously survived three serious cardiac episodes over 13 years, as well as a machete attack while trekking the Black Cat Track in Papua New Guinea.

Reflecting on his latest medical emergency, Nick said he wanted to share his experience as a way of processing what had happened and recognising the people who helped him through it.

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He paid tribute to his wife, airport staff, emergency responders and the medical teams at Mackay Base Hospital.

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“We have amazing people in our Mackay Base Hospital. You are such special people who are confronted with others' trauma daily and your calm in the chaos made it much more manageable for both myself and my wife,” he said.

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“A massive thank you to my beautiful wife for your incredible love, self-control and calm.

“Thank you for the sincere concern and support from the Mackay Airport staff who were so quick to respond and to the airport fire team and two young ambulance officers who also helped us.

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“Thank you to the Mackay Base Hospital ED staff who were more than amazing in what they were dealing with. And thanks also to the General Surgery Unit (GSU) staff who are just incredible. My life was literally in your hands.

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“I am eternally grateful and indeed very fortunate.

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“Thank you, thank you, thank you.”  

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