Dramatic Video Shows Officers Saving Florida Toddler From Choking On A Tomato

A Florida child who was choking on a piece of food was recently rescued by police officers who calmly provided first aid as anguished adults looked on in terror.

The Tampa Police Department on Friday released body-worn camera video from officers responding to the choking incident on the evening of April 24.

The video shows officers arriving to find an adult holding the child, described as a toddler, and crying, “He’s choking, bro.”

An officer begins firmly and repeatedly slapping the boy’s back, which is the preferred first-aid method for babies and smaller children who are choking, over the more familiar abdominal thrusts, or Heimlich maneuver, used on larger children and adults.

As adults cry in fear in the background, two officers continue firmly patting the toddler’s back.

“Get fire rolling,” an officer says, likely referring to Tampa Fire Rescue, just incase the first aid fails and an ambulance becomes necessary.

The officer picks the child up off the ground, doubled over his four arm, and he continues slapping his back.

“He was eating a tomato, bro,” a terrified adult says.

The officers try to look down the child’s throat to see if there is a visible obstruction they can pull out, but not finding anything, they continue slapping the boy’s back. After several more seconds, the boy speaks, indicating he is at least partially able to breathe, but the food is still lodged in his throat.

The officers get the boy to open his mouth, but they still couldn’t reach the blockage. After a few more pats on the back, the boy spits out the food and breathes again.

“A terrifying moment turned into a life saved. Thanks to the quick, compassionate response of our officers, the toddler is safe today,” police said. “Choking is often silent. If someone cant speak, cough, or breathe, they may need immediate help.”