Sarah Brake, who administered the Heimlich maneuver on a 9-year-old girl who was choking while on a school bus during a morning run, was recognized at a local safety meeting May 16 in front of her peers and the Upper Grand District School Board.
The choking incident occurred two days before, when Brake, a spare driver that day, was driving students to Primrose Elementary School in Mulmur, Ontario, Canada.
Jill Mather, site supervisor of Stock’s Orangeville, Ontario, facility, said Brake had completed her first aid course three weeks prior to the incident.
After asking the girl a few questions, Brake realized she was choking. Brake removed the girl from the bus and performed the Heimlich maneuver on her three times. Once the food was dislodged and the girl could breathe freely, Brake proceeded to help her relax and to also calm the other worried students on the bus.
The extensive training paid dividends for Brake and the choking girl. The girl’s mother thanked Brake with flowers and shared an emotional moment with her.
“Sarah is a shining example of how bus driver training can save lives,” said Mather. “It’s all about knowing what to do, and then quickly doing it while staying calm and in control. Sarah could not have handled that stressful situation any better.”
Stock Transportation is a sister company to Durham School Services. Both companies, as well as Petermann Bus, make up National Express Corporation.
