HEIMLICH HERO

By Virginia Huie

10-year-old Keith Johnson proves you're never too young to be a hero. It happened Halloween Day. Keith and his buddy Bailey Heitmuller were eating lunch in the school cafeteria at Cherokee Street Elementary in Ronkonkoma. Bailey got into an argument with another student, and the stress caused him to choke on his bologna sandwich. Bailey started turning red. He couldn't breathe. That's when Keith sprang into action. Instead of running to get help, Keith performed the Heimlich maneuver. He dislodged the chunk of sandwich from Bailey's throat and saved his life. Where did Keith learn the life-saving technique? In school? Nope. From Boys Scouts? Nope. Keith tells me he was eating at a Dunkin' Donuts when he noticed a first aid poster on the wall. It explained how to save a person from choking by performing the Heimlich maneuver. Keith says he loves to read and he's always studying things like that wherever he goes. Good thing! He remembered all the life saving information when it mattered most. Keith is one of the hometown heroes News 12 has chosen to honor in our special half hour show "Long Island Lifesavers." Tune in at 7:00 p.m. this Thursday, Thanksgiving Day -- and you'll see some amazing stories of courage.

Comments

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Yay, Keith. Nice story.