Sudden asthma attack kills pregnant Hannah Henderson-Wilson and her unborn child Carter

Hannah Henderson-Wilson was five months pregnant, hanging out washing, when the 20-year-old had a fatal asthma attack at the front of her home.

Kane Oats, dad of Hannah Henderson-Wilson who died of an asthma attack while five months pregnant. Kane was driving his road train when he found out his daughter died. Picture Matt Turner.

Pregnant Hannah Henderson-Wilson was hanging washing up in her backyard moments before a sudden asthma attack killed her and her unborn son.

By the time she called the ambulance and walked to her front yard, she collapsed – and despite six paramedics doing everything they could, Hannah lost her life.

The 20-year-old suffered with asthma since she was born, regularly attending the emergency department with uncontrollable attacks.

But this time the chronic condition killed her and her unborn baby Carter who was five months along.

Hannah Henderson-Wilson was five months pregnant when she tragically died of an asthma attack. Picture supplied by family

Hannah Henderson-Wilson suffered from asthma all her life. Picture supplied by family

“She had the nursery set up and everything ready to go,” her dad Kane Oats, 42, told The Advertiser.

“She was looking forward to it and she would’ve been a really good mother.”

It’s been almost a year since his daughter died in November 2022. To continue her legacy Mr Oats is running an event in memory of her and his unborn grandchild to raise awareness and funds for asthma.

In Australia one in 10 adults and one in four children live with asthma.

In 2021 figures show 351 asthma-related deaths made up of 244 females and 107 males, down from 417 deaths in 2020 and 427 in 2019.

Hannah with her dad Kane Oats on her 18th birthday. Picture: Supplied by family.

Hannah suffered with asthma ever since she was born. Picture: Supplied by family.

“Hannah has always struggled with her asthma, like her personality, it was spontaneous,” Mr Oats said.

“To the point where she will be fine one moment and the next moment she’s on the floor and can’t breathe … always used to hit her like a lightning bolt.”

But for Mr Oats, he never thought asthma would claim the life of his daughter and unborn grandchild.

Hannah Henderson-Wilson was five months pregnant when she tragically died of an asthma attack. Picture: Supplied by family.

Hannah loved cars, motorbikes and boats. Picture: Supplied by family.

The road-train driver was talking to his daughter, who lived in Sheidow Park in Adelaide, on the phone only an hour before she died.

“I said, ‘I’ll give you a call back when I’ve finished (work)’,” he said.

“I went to give her a call back and I couldn’t get a hold of her.”

Before Mr Oats hung up, Hannah said to him “be safe and I love you”.

A community fundraiser car show and cruise will be held in memory of Hannah who loved all things cars.

“I miss her smile and all those little wisecracks she had. It’s been a real shock. I want everyone to know that asthma is dangerous and to act on it quickly,” Mr Oats said.

Hosted at Point Malcolm Reserve at Semaphore Park on November 25, you can find more information here.