WESTFIELD – On Monday afternoon at Westfield North Middle School, a faculty member came to the rescue of a student. Pete O., a sixth-grade student was eating his lunch in the cafeteria when he began to choke on his food. While Assistant Principal Tom Underwood was walking around the cafeteria, two students rushed up to him and informed Underwood that Pete was red in the face and choking.
Westfield North Middle School Assistant Principal Tom Underwood stands with Pete O. on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy of Greg Fitzpatrick)
Underwood quickly approached the student and performed the Heimlich maneuver.
“He was clearly choking and struggling to breathe,” said Underwood. “I gave a couple of strong tugs.”
The Heimlich was successful and Pete was able to breathe okay. Although he certainly didn’t want that situation to occur, Underwood was glad he could help save the student.
“It was a nice ending to something that was briefly pretty high-staked,” said Underwood.
After the incident, a school nurse checked on Pete just to make sure he was in good health.
