Linda Morgan is being credited with saving the life of a first-grade student who stopped breathing on board a Lakeland Joint School District bus.

The incident occurred on March 30 in Rathdum, Idaho, when a half-inch toy became lodged in the little girl's throat. Transportation Director Darrell Rickard said Morgan, who was a substitute on the route, was told by the girl's sister that she was having problems breathing. Morgan turned around and noticed the first grader was bent over in her seat with saliva coming out of her mouth.

In only her fifth month of service with the school district, Morgan was discharging a student during an afternoon run when the girl began choking, so the bus had already stopped and was pulled over to the side of the road. Morgan attempted the Heimlich maneuver to no avail, but the second attempt dislodged the toy enough to allow the girl to start getting some air.

Morgan then called dispatch to alert the department of the emergency and to call for an ambulance. Rickard said he had to ask twice about the emergency, but Morgan remained calm. The girl was transported to a local hospital where she received further treatment.

"She took the whole thing with a grain of salt," he said. "Meanwhile it gave everyone else the shivers. "You take first aid and CPR but when [an emergency] actually happens it brings a sense of realization to everyone that any one of them may be called to use their skills at any time."

Rickard added that Lakeland drivers are required to receive CPR training every year and first aid training every other year, the latter of which includes proficiency in performing the Heimlich maneuver. He said he believed CPR and first aid training were not state requirements but instead recommend best practices. A check of Idaho's School Bus Driver Training Curriculum lists CPR training as a continuing education item under the section "Motivating Experienced Drivers."