9-Year-Old Boy Among Those To Be Recognized for Fast Thinking in Saving Choking Toddler

The South Pasadena Police will recognize a 9 year old boy on Thursday that helped save the life of his 3-year-old sister last month. Police will also recognize a local Starbucks employee, who while on his way to work stopped to assist and perform CPR on the little girl, and the first responders.
 
The recognition will be made on Thursday at 9 a.m. in the courtyard of the South Pasadena City Hall. The event will also be the first opportunity for the family to meet the first responders. 

South Pasadena Police explained that on Jan. 19 at 3:59 p.m., the 9-year-old boy called 911 to report that his sister was choking on a grape. 

According to the department, South Pasadena police officers arrived on scene one minute later and found the victim unconscious with extremely labored breathing. SPPD officers attempted to dislodge the grape, but were unsuccessful. South Pasadena Fire Department paramedics responded and momentarily treated the victim at the scene, but were also unable to dislodge the obstruction. 

SPPD officers cleared a path along the approximately 3 mile route to Huntington Memorial Hospital to help SPFD paramedics expedite their transport and travel unimpeded to the hospital. In the emergency room, HMH doctors and staff were able to successfully remove the obstruction and the victim was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. The victim has since fully recovered with no adverse outcome.