A heroic fourth grader in Wisconsin may have saved the life of a classmate by performing the Heimlich maneuver on her as she choked on food.
During the lunch break at Racine’s Fratt Elementary School, 9-year-old Essie Collier noticed one of her classmates was choking on her food. Students were eating in a classroom because the lunchroom had been cleared out so residents could vote.
According to Essie’s account, she immediately rushed toward her distressed classmate when she saw signs of choking and difficulty in breathing.
Her class teacher, Samantha Bradshaw said Essie wrapped her arms around the student and began performing the Heimlich. Her classmate’s airway was cleared, and within seconds the girl was breathing fine.
Whilst her teacher remained astonished at her reaction at such a young age, Essie claims that she learned the lifesaving technique two years earlier from a YouTube instructional video.
The Racine Unified School Board plans to honor Essie at a board meeting in late November for her heroics.
