An Abbots Langley resident saved the life of a boy who was choking thanks to her first aid training.
Katherine Foley had dropped off her son (both pictured) in Watford on Saturday, February 10, and was on her way to meet other mums for lunch when she noticed there was a commotion outside Chipotle on the High Street.
A police officer was holding a little boy, who had gone limp after choking on a chip, and was shouting for help.
Having worked in childcare recruitment, Katherine had previously completed a one-day paediatric first aid course, so offered to assist. The limp little boy was thrust into her arms.
Katherine said: “I couldn’t believe no one else was doing anything. I assumed the police would have far more experience and training than me; I had been on a one-day course and never practised what I had learned until that moment.”
At first, Katherine tried the Heimlich manoeuvre, but this didn’t work. She then tried hitting the boy on his back, as she had been taught in the course. This also didn’t work, and Katherine could see the boy was rapidly deteriorating.
She said: “His lips went blue. His mother was in floods of tears screaming on the ground. It seemed as if she thought he had died.”
As a last resort, Katherine put her fingers down the boy’s throat and dislodged the chip.
The colour flooded back into the boy’s cheeks and he seemed much better as Katherine returned him to his father.
An East of England Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called just after 1.45pm on Saturday, February 10, with reports that a child was choking on the High Street in Watford. An ambulance was dispatched and before arriving on scene, the boy received prompt treatment to clear the obstruction. The boy was transported to Watford General Hospital for further assessment and care.”
What puzzled Katherine, however, was the lack of action from the crowd who had gathered.
She said: “The police said they could not perform the Heimlich manoeuvre because they were wearing stab vests. There were enough people there that I was surprised no one else had stepped in to do something before I got there.”
Katherine would like to credit Tigerlily, the company with which she did her first aid course.
I am so proud of my mum.
I never thought something like that would happen, especially with my mum.
I am so proud of my daughter. Many of us have trained to do this but it takes courage and confidence to step forward and take control.
Good wishes to the little boy and his parents.