Boone Health food service worker saves choking man

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Boone Health Food Service Supervisor Marian Zellner-Evers performed the Heimlich maneuver to save a choking man this week.

Zellner-Evers said she was in the cafeteria working at the register when she noticed a man sitting at a table gesturing for help.

"I just turned around and I'm like are you ok? he's like no," Zellner-Evers said. "So he stood up, kind of had him turn around, performed the Heimlich."

Zellner-Evers said she performed the maneuver three times before the man was able to take a breath. She also stated that knowing the Heimlich is important.

"It's very important to have this training, because you never know you know life is precious and it can be gone in an instant. Had I not known what to do, I probably would've panicked or I would've known what to do or maybe I would've taken too long." Zellner-Evers said.

According to the National Safety Council, choking was the fourth-leading cause of of unintentional death in 2023.