72-Year-Old Stroke Survivor Shares Harrowing Cruise Ship Rescue Experience
A 72-year-old man, Greg Tomensky, recounted his rescue from a Holland America cruise ship after suffering a medical emergency. Traveling with his wife, Mary, on what they hoped would be the trip of a lifetime—a 35-day cruise from San Diego to Hawaii and French Polynesia—Tomensky’s journey took a serious turn.
Just ten days into the cruise, on February 26, disaster struck. "I was ready to go to lunch, and I never made it. I collapsed," he shared with ABC News about his experience leading up to the event. Tomensky suffered four strokes in quick succession, hundreds of miles away from the nearest land.
Understanding the urgency of his condition, the medical staff aboard the cruise ship determined that he needed immediate evacuation. As Dr. Realeboga Sebitso, a senior doctor for Holland America Line, noted, "We knew definitely that what this man needed was to be in a stroke unit or a stroke center."
On February 27, U.S. Coast Guard personnel successfully airlifted Tomensky from the ship to a hospital in Honolulu, where he received critical care. He expressed his gratitude for the quick response and the lifesaving measures that followed his rescue.
Fast forward a month, Tomensky had the chance for an emotional reunion with the Coast Guard pilots who came to his aid—Lt. Cmdr. Ryan Brown and Lt. Tom Jordan. In a heartfelt exchange, Tomensky thanked them, saying, "I owe you for my recovery and future recovery from these strokes."
For both the rescuers and Tomensky, the connection created through this incident highlighted a rare opportunity to meet again and celebrate the life-saving actions that had made all the difference.
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Editorial Team
At CruiseShip.net, our editorial team is made up of passionate travelers, seasoned cruisers, and maritime industry enthusiasts who live and breathe life at sea. From the latest ship launches and destination spotlights to detailed reviews and onboard tips, we are dedicated to helping readers discover the joy of cruising. Our mission is to make every article both inspiring and useful, whether you are planning your first voyage or your fiftieth. We research, fact-check, and collaborate with cruise insiders around the world to bring you accurate, up-to-date, and exciting coverage of the global cruise industry. Join us as we chart new horizons, exploring one port, one ship, and one unforgettable experience at a time.
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