Hungry Jack’s rescue: Sunshine Coast workers save man from choking on chicken burger

Two Sunshine Coast men who saved a man’s life in a fast food restaurant insist they are not heroes and want others to do their first-aid training.

Two humble Sunshine Coast heroes have saved a man from choking on his chicken burger during their lunch break at Hungry Jack’s.

Unitywater workers Jackson Townsend, 29, and James Healy, 28, were at the Maroochydore fast food restaurant on October 12, 2022, when they made the rare decision to dine in rather than take their lunch to a park.

They were tucking into their own meals when Mr Healy realised a man with a disability sitting behind his co-worker was choking.

“James said, ‘Jacko, I think there’s something going on behind you mate,’” Mr Townsend said.

Mr Townsend said the pair, who are both first-aid trained, swung into action.

Jackson Townsend, 29, and James Healy, 28, saved a man from choking during their lunch break at Hungry Jack’s.

The Burnside resident started doing the Heimlich manoeuvre while Mr Healy started delegating tasks like calling an ambulance.

The man collapsed in Mr Townsend’s arms as he continued the manoeuvre.

“James said his eyes rolled back in his head and James just screamed at me to keep going,” Mr Townsend said.

“He basically was just taking charge.”

Mr Healy said at that point he realised the incident was escalating.

Mr Townsend said the man lost consciousness and the man’s carer and sister put her hand down his throat and yanked out the chicken that was choking him.

The colleagues kept the man in a recovery position on the ground until the paramedics arrived and took over.

Mr Townsend said it was an overwhelming situation.

“I’ve not had anything like that happen to me before,” he said.

“It still doesn’t feel real that we saved his life.”

Mr Healy, a Caloundra resident, said the incident should encourage others to do their first-aid training.

Mr Townsend said the pair did not take action for the recognition.

“But you just have to jump into action,” he said.

“You have to get in and have a go and at least try to save someone’s life.”

Their boss, Unitywater customer delivery executive manager Rhett Duncan, said the pair demonstrated how Unitywater workers went “above and beyond” for their communities.

“We are so proud of how they jumped into action to help this gentleman and commend their quick thinking and actions,” Mr Duncan said.

The pair went back to work following the incident and Mr Healy lined up to give blood the next day, adding to his tally of lives saved for the week.