Colleagues save teacher who ‘died’ mid-lesson
Defibrillator, CPR lessons and quick actions revive heart attack victim
Benita Mareikura was teaching when she “died” in front of her year 8 Napier Intermediate pupils.
The mother-of-three suffered a cardiac arrest in November last year. Without warning, the 45-year-old’s heart stopped beating.
But as she lay face down on the classroom floor, brave pupils and teachers sprang into action with the deputy principal taking on the school field in high heels.
Mareikura is sharing her story to raise awareness around CPR and automatic external defibrillators (AEDs).
“I wasn’t sick, I didn’t feel anything coming on . . . if it had to happen to me, it happened at the right place, at the right time, with the right people around me,” Mareikura said.
Fellow teacher Kelly Durston, now an Eastern Institute of Technology tutor, was alerted when one of Mareikura’s pupils ran into his class and said she had fallen.
“I assumed she’d twisted her leg, but she was face down on the floor and looking a bit purple
. . . she wasn’t breathing.”
As a pupil ran for help, Durston began CPR. Days earlier the army territorial had completed a combat lifesaving course. It was surreal switching from sitting on the floor teaching algebra to performing CPR.
“I was just doing what I knew I had to do. It was almost like I wasn’t thinking.”
Deputy principal Lou Taylor was unloading trophies for an assembly when a colleague rushed up.
“She said ‘It’s Benita, defibrillator, go’.”
The closest defibrillator was 550m away at Jetts Fitness so she switched on the hazard lights in her Toyota Auris and put her foot down as trophies rolled and clanked behind.
“I was saying to myself ‘Do no more harm’, so while I was kind of speeding I was really aware I needed to be sensible too.”
With the engine still running, Taylor pulled the gym door open and spotted the attendant eating lunch.
“I went ‘Oi, defibrillator, now’. He came running and I just grabbed it.”
Another car was blocking her exit, so she hit the horn.
“He pulled over, he was so good.” She later timed the return journey at 3 minutes.
Back at school, Taylor sprinted 100-200m across the field to Room 13, her 60mm-high heels no handicap.
“They gave me good grip, that’s for sure . . . I just hooned.”
Inside Mareikura’s classroom, where other staff were now helping Durston, two shocks restarted Mareikura’s heart. Taylor remembers the moment an ambulance officer — emergency services arrived just after the defibrillator was used — saying Mareikura was breathing on her own.
“It was like ‘Oh my God, we’ve done good’. It was an absolutely amazing team effort.”
For Durston, the moment was overwhelming.
“I was shaking when all the adrenaline wore off . . . [now] I feel very proud.”
He later bumped into Mareikura’s husband, Lee, in the supermarket.
“He gave me a big hug and said ‘that’s the best Christmas present anyone could ever give’. That was pretty emotional in the middle of the supermarket.”
Mareikura, who has taught at Napier Intermediate for 24 years, spent two weeks in Wellington Hospital and returned to the classroom this year.
Cardiologists said the cardiac arrest was caused by a rare “electrical fault”. A defibrillator is now implanted in her body.
Heart Saver NZ managing director and medic Mike Mander said the earlier an AED was used the better the chance of survival for the 2000 people who suffered cardiac arrest each year, of which about 1500 died.
Survival rates fell from 90 per cent if an AED, which cost less than $2000, was used within one minute to 50 per cent after five minutes and 20 per cent after eight minutes.
Mareikura said her school had since bought its own AED.
“I just collapsed and died in front of my class, until they were able to bring me back. What do you say to somebody [who does that], except thanks.
“Thank you, I really, really appreciate it. Love, hugs, kisses. You can’t say much else.”
● Sites with defibrillators can be found on the AED Locations app.