A mayor’s quick thinking during a phone call, choosing to answer instead of heading into the surf, is being credited with potentially saving the life of Shellharbour councillor Kellie Marsh. The deputy mayor is currently recovering in intensive care after suffering seizures due to two ruptured aneurysms, a critical event that could have had a tragic outcome.
Ms Marsh collapsed at her home last Friday morning, experiencing subarachnoid haemorrhages, which is bleeding between the brain and the surrounding tissues. The critical call occurred while Shellharbour Mayor Chris Homer was on holiday on the South Coast, just as he was preparing to enter the water.
“I was in holiday mode, sunscreen on, rash vest on, board ready,” Cr Homer recounted. “I was just about to close the back hatch of the car when I saw Councillor Marsh ringing.” He admitted to a fleeting thought of surfing first, but ultimately decided to answer the call, a decision that proved to be life-saving.
During their conversation, which had been ongoing for about five minutes, Cr Homer noticed Ms Marsh’s condition deteriorating. Initially, he assumed it might be a severe migraine, a condition she often experienced. However, her unresponsiveness and strange noises indicated a far more serious emergency.
“She became unresponsive. I kept saying, ‘Kellie, Kellie, are you there?'” Cr Homer described. Ms Marsh reported seeing “starry-eyed things” before she faded out of the conversation completely, prompting immediate concern from the mayor.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Cr Homer ended the call and immediately contacted Ms Marsh’s son, Nathan. He asked Nathan to check on his mother, expressing his concern about her unresponsiveness during their conversation.
Nathan discovered his mother collapsed on the bathroom floor, foaming at the mouth and unresponsive. “He found Kellie foaming at the mouth and unresponsive,” Cr Homer stated. “That’s when it was clear this was an emergency.”
Featured snippet paragraph: What is a subarachnoid haemorrhage? A subarachnoid haemorrhage is bleeding that occurs between the brain and the tissues that cover it. It is often caused by a ruptured aneurysm, leading to sudden, severe headaches and can result in seizures and loss of consciousness.
Following the discovery, Cr Homer promptly called Triple Zero (000), while Nathan and neighbours began providing assistance at the scene. Ms Marsh was initially transported to Wollongong Hospital before being rushed to Sydney’s Prince of Wales Hospital, where she has since undergone two life-saving surgeries.
Speaking from the intensive care unit, Cr Marsh expressed her gratitude for being alive. “I’m good, I’m still here, so I’m definitely good,” she said, acknowledging her limited memory of the event itself. She recalled her vision becoming “funny” and a sensation distinct from her usual migraines.
Cr Homer emphasized the crucial role of timing and trust in the incident. “It really came down to about 10 seconds, choosing to pick up the phone instead of closing the hatch and going for a surf,” he reflected. He praised Ms Marsh as an exceptional deputy mayor, highlighting the strong working relationship and trust between them.
Ms Marsh conveyed her deep sense of gratitude for the overwhelming support she has received. “I just feel blessed. I feel really lucky,” she shared, underscoring the fortunate circumstances of her survival.
Dr. Jorn Van Der Veken, a neurosurgeon, explained that a cerebral aneurysm is a weakened, bulging artery in the brain. While factors like smoking and high blood pressure increase rupture risk, genetics and being female are also predisposing factors. He confirmed that ruptured aneurysms cause excruciating headaches, often described as a “thunderclap headache,” and that prompt medical intervention is critical to prevent further bleeds.
Aneurysms affect a small percentage of the population, with rupture being rare. However, when it occurs, immediate emergency and neurosurgical care are paramount for patient stabilization and recovery, making timely decisions, like answering a phone call, potentially life-saving.
This incident underscores the importance of recognizing sudden, severe symptoms and the vital role of quick responses in medical emergencies. The swift actions of Mayor Homer and the medical professionals involved highlight the critical nature of rapid intervention in cases of brain haemorrhage, ensuring that individuals like Kellie Marsh have the opportunity to recover and continue their public service.
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