Teacher performs Heimlich maneuver to save choking student

HALLSVILLE, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri middle school teacher is being applauded for her quick actions after performing the Heimlich maneuver on a student who had a piece of candy lodged in his throat.

Eighth-grader Gage Donner was walking in the hallway at Hallsville Middle School on Wednesday when a piece of candy blocked his air passage.

A friend saw Donner was in trouble and got the attention of sixth-grade teacher Betsy Berry. She says she saw Donner gagging and pointing to his throat and chest.

Berry says she has no formal training in the Heimlich maneuver but saw her father do it for her mother when she was 10 or 11.

Donner will receive the Hallsville Chamber of Commerce’s Hometown Hero Award in December.