Quick Thinking Saves Student Choking on Bus Ride

What was to be a routine bus ride home from a competition for the Lincoln Middle School dance team turned into a moment of panic for Anna, who found herself choking on some candy. Thanks to the quick actions of her teammate, Hannah, and her coach, Whitney Klee, the situation ended safely.  

“I was just eating some Skittles, and all of a sudden, I thought I don’t think I can breathe,” Anna recalled. “Hannah asked if I was choking, and I tried to say no, but it turned out I actually was.” 

As her friend struggled, Hannah quickly recognized the severity of the situation.  

“We were just sitting there, and I heard her coughing,” Hannah said. “I asked if she was okay, but she didn’t respond. That’s when I turned to our team captain and said, 'I think she’s actually choking.' We started screaming for Whitney, our coach, but she had headphones on and couldn’t hear us at first.” 

Whitney, who was sitting at the front of the bus l listening to judge critiques from earlier in the day through her headphones, didn’t immediately hear the commotion. But when she finally caught Hannah calling for help, she acted without hesitation.  

“Hannah never yells, so I knew something had to be wrong,” said Whitney. “When I realized Anna was choking, I have never moved so fast in my life.” 

Whitney raced to the back of the bus and performed the Heimlich maneuver for the first time in her life.  

“It was a fight-or-flight situation," Whitney admitted. "Even though it wasn’t me, these girls are like my children. I didn’t even have a second to think—I just turned Anna around and did it." 

The Skittles quickly dislodged, and an incredibly relieved Anna could breathe again.  

“I think I was laughing because of how crazy it was. I didn’t even really know what was happening at first," Anna said. "But I’m super happy Coach Whitney was there, and that Hannah got her attention." 

Whitney, who had previously been a lifeguard for five years but had never had to use the Heimlich maneuver, was just grateful the situation had a positive outcome. 

"I’m just relieved Anna’s okay and that Hannah was there to act quickly. If no one had been sitting with Anna, things could have ended differently."