More than a miracle: How Sydney man Nick Tringas survived the unimaginable

By Despina Karpathiou

They say, “never say never,” and for Nick Tringas, February 18, 2024, was the day that changed his life forever.

Having sustained a catastrophic brain injury that left physicians terrified and his family shattered, what should have been a typical day became a nightmare. There was little possibility that he would survive, and even less that he would recover.

As a living example of the power of prayers, exceptional medical staff, and an unwavering will to never give up, Nick shares his story with The Greek Herald.

His story is a remarkable tale of both miracle and survival.

The day began as normal.

“I was home that day by myself and I decided to check something on the house with a ladder. I was about four metres up. I’ve always been a physically strong guy, so this was normal for me,” he recalls.

That was the last thing Nick remembers. The next time he was awake, it was at St George Hospital, over two weeks later, and fresh out of a coma.

Nick’s daughters, Evelynne and Katie, found him unconscious when they came home. They don’t know how long he had been lying there.

He was transported directly to St George Hospital, where it was discovered that he had a fractured skull and a fractured spine in four places. No surgeries were performed, but blood had to be drained from Nick’s body.

He stayed in a coma for two-and-a-half weeks and when he woke up, he was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit. In the ICU, he wasn’t allowed to move.

“If it weren’t for the around-the-clock care and amazing support of the nurses and doctors in St George ICU, I doubt I’d be here today,” Nick says. “I owe them my life!”

Dr Diane Lee and Dr Terry Diamond (Professor of Endoscopy) oversaw Nick’s recovery and still check in with him to this day.

As a result of the traumatic injuries he sustained, Nick has noticed changes in his personality, cannot smell, cannot taste, and has no hearing in his left ear.

“I would say I am about 85% better, and I hope that I will recover the hearing in my left ear,” he says.

He also hopes to regain his sense of smell and taste in the future.

Today, Nick has regular check-ups at the Liverpool Brain Injury Unit.

“Dr. Hodgkinson, who runs the Brain Unit, has been amazingly supportive, and I am so grateful to all the staff at the unit who continue to take care of me as I recover,” he shares.

Nick has since returned to work as a real estate agent. He runs Tringas Property Group with his son. While he isn’t working as much as before, he is learning to appreciate time off more.

“I am appreciating the small things in life and looking to enjoy my life. It’s so cliché, but you only live once!” he says.

He is also driving again, which he thinks is incredible for someone who sustained injuries of such magnitude.

Nick’s family has been through hell and back, and he credits God and Saint John the Russian for his miraculous recovery.

“I am stronger in my beliefs as an Orthodox Christian and feel closer to God. I don’t think I’d be here today if it weren’t for Saint John,” he says.

Nick is planning a trip to Euboea (Evia) in Greece to pay homage to the great saint in 2025.

With a new lease on life, Nick knows he is extremely lucky and blessed. Most people he meets don’t believe he had the accident; his story is that incredible.

“Never underestimate the power of the saints and medical experts! The nurses and doctors at St George are incredible, and I couldn’t thank them enough!” he says.