Jarred Thompson giving the camera the thumbs up before take-off. Photo / Supplied
Critically-ill Hawke's Bay man Jarred Thompson has landed in New Zealand and has been rushed to hospital.
The 27-year-old Napier man was medivacked after he fell ill while on holiday in Fiji. He was in Fiji to celebrate the fact he was in remission from testicular cancer.
Close friend Thomas Brook was with Thompson in Fiji and came home on the same flight into Auckland this evening.
"There was absolutely no hiccups on the flight whatsoever," Brook told the Herald.
"Going up and going down the pressure was fine and it was such a blessing. I was praying the whole time for guardian angels to protect Jarred."
He was gobsmacked at the support which had been shown towards Thompson and said it was difficult to summarise what it meant to friends and family.
"What a journey and the outcome is beyond what I could even comprehend, at this moment I can't even describe it in words," Brook said.
"We are very, very happy Jarred is home with no hiccups."
Coming off the flight Thompson was taken to hospital immediately to receive further treatment.
He was first admitted to Lautoka Hospital on Thursday after what started as a headache quickly turned into a "potentially life-threatening condition" as pressure built on his brain.
Friends and family, as well as the wider community, rallied behind Thompson and raised the more than $27,000 for his medical evacuation through a Givealittle page.
Former flat mate Keith Browne, who has been friends with Thompson since high school, told Hawke's Bay Today Thompson's mother, and daughter - who turned 6 last week - had been at Auckland Airport to greet Thompson on his arrival, which was met with relief.
"He's a top bloke and an all round good man and great father.
"Everyone that knows him are relieved. Not to mention all kind and caring humans that helped out in anyway from Hawke's Bay let alone new Zealand and around the world that donated to the Givealittle page, helped to make this all possible. Now his daughter can see her dad again."
Brook earlier said it had been a tough night for Thompson, but he was coherent this morning, ahead of a three and a half hour flight to Auckland.
He was relieved his friend was now "in the most capable hands" at Auckland Hospital.
Fellow friend Sarah Findlay was "ecstatic" to see her friend back in New Zealand.
"Words can't even explain how grateful we are that he is home safe and going to be getting the treatment he needs finally.
"It has been a whirlwind of a time [and we're] anxious for him to get better."
Friends, family and well-wishers raised over $34,800, not enough for a private jet which would cost $62,000 but enough to get him back on a commercial flight with a medical evacuation team.
A private jet would have been less risky for Thompson as it could have been pressurised to sea level.
The minister is speaking at Mt Albert Grammar in Auckland.
