7-Year-Old Saves Choking Classmate With Heimlich Maneuver

August 11, 2022

A 7-year-old boy jumped into action when he noticed his classmate was choking on pizza during lunch.

David Diaz Sr., David Diaz Jr. and N.Y. State Senator Fred Akshar

David Diaz Jr. is a second-grader at Woodrow Wilson Elementary in Binghamton, New York. He recenty received the New York State Senate Commendation Award for rescuing his friend with the Heimlich maneuver.

David said he learned the life-saving move from "The Good Doctor," a TV medical drama he had been watching with his father.

Kristin Korba, a second-grade teacher at Woodrow Wilson Elementary, told Fox News that David was sitting across from the choking student.

"The adults were circulating the cafeteria, monitoring. David rushed behind [the choking student] and performed the Heimlich," Korba recalled.

"I went over right after it happened and checked [on the student who choked]. He was cleared by the nurse and parents [were] contacted."

When Korba spoke with David, she learned he had seen the Heimlich maneuver performed on TV and made a note to "remember" it, since it looked like something "important" to know.

Binghamton City School District superintendent Dr. Tonia Thompson and New York State Sen. Fred Akshar stopped by the boy's classroom to present him with the award.

"David is a true community hero who's made his family, his school and his community very proud!" Akshar wrote on Facebook.