Wilmington Elementary School Custodian Praised For Saving Choking Student
WILMINGTON (CBS) -- A Wilmington man has been honored by the town's selectmen for saving a young boy from choking in the school cafeteria.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karen Twomey reports
Wilmington Elementary School Custodian Saves Choking Student
Custodian Mike Scanlon was in the cafeteria at Wilmington's North Intermediate Elementary School January 13 when the fourth grade boy began choking on some carrots and then stopped breathing.
"He was ash gray," Scanlon said.
Scanlon said he performed the Heimlich Maneuver four times before the boy regained consciousness.
"I didn't want anything really bad to happen to this kid, it could have turned into a huge tragedy," Scanlon said.
It's not the first time Scanlon has had to jump into action. He said when one of his twin daughters was 3 years old, she choked on a piece of candy and he had to perform the Heimlich.
"It all just came right back to me," Scanlon said. "Someone had to do something the kid was in dire straits."
Scanlon said he spoke to the boy's mother and she was very grateful Scanlon was in the right place at the right time.
While he says anyone would jump into action to help, Scanlon was recognized for his actions as a "Hero Among Us" at last Friday's Celtics game.
