In a heartwarming display of quick-thinking and heroism, Texas school bus driver Rachel Baker is being celebrated for her swift actions that saved a 7-year-old student from a life-threatening situation.
Preston Bell found himself in distress after choking on a quarter, and it was Rachel’s immediate response that turned a potentially tragic incident into a tale of courage and heroism.
The incident transpired when young Preston began choking on a quarter he had placed in his mouth. You can see on the video that was captured on the school bus, the exact moment he puts it in his mouth, and how quickly he realized his mistake. Knowing he was having trouble breathing, the distressed child swiftly sought help and ran to his school bus driver.
The gravity of the situation was evident as Preston went limp, struggling to breathe with the lodged quarter. Without a moment’s hesitation, Rachel sprang into action upon seeing the visibly distressed Preston. Understanding the urgency of the situation, Rachel took swift and decisive steps to ensure the child’s safety. She promptly carried Preston off the school bus, setting the stage for a remarkable act of heroism.
As Rachel carried Preston to the sidewalk, her instincts kicked in. Recognizing the need for immediate intervention, she initiated the Heimlich maneuver on the choking child. With each calculated thrust, Rachel worked tirelessly to dislodge the quarter obstructing Preston’s airway.
In an interview with Inside Edition, Rachel stated, “At that moment he had stopped talking, he was very limp, and I was just telling him, baby breathe, I got you.” In the video, you can hear Preston tell Rachel that he had swallowed a penny, so you can only imagine her surprise when it was actually a quarter that popped out of his airway.
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Inside Edition also interviewed Preston’s mother, who cannot bring herself to watch the footage. She stated, “She saved my baby’s life that day, she is both of our heroes. Me and Preston we look at her as our angel.”
To all the kids out there, for the sanity of your parents and the adults around you, please don’t put things in your mouth that aren’t edible!
To view Preston’s story, click the video!
