photo courtesy of WISN
A Racine, Wisconsin, student at Fratt Elementary School saved a classmate from choking by performing the Heimlich maneuver on a fellow fourth grader. Essence Collier, only nine years old, acted quickly during lunchtime, according to WISN-12 News.
The incident occurred at Fratt Elementary in a classroom. Students had been forced to eat outside their regular cafeteria on November 8, so the space could be used for election day. Essence noticed one of her classmates holding her neck and looking to be in pain.
“I just saw that she was holding her neck, and I rushed up there as fast as I could,” The young girl said. She sprung into action by wrapping her arms around the student in distress and performing the Heimlich, which she reportedly learned from a Youtube video. Just moments after, the choking student was back to normal.
Samantha Bradshaw, one of the Racine school’s teachers, recalled seeing Essence’s act of bravery right in front of her. “Out of nowhere, I see Essence get up and kind of dart across the classroom,” Bradshaw described. “I didn’t know what was going on. I kind of said, ‘Stop.’”
She continued to praise her, “I see her go to the other student and wrapped her arms around her and perform the Heimlich Maneuver on her. I have never seen a student react in that way before.”
The Racine School Board announced it would honor the girl for her heroism and quick thinking this month.