A routine traffic stop became a life-saving experience for a 17-month-old Calgary girl last weekend when a quick-thinking police officer saved the toddler from choking.
Const. Adrian Chong pulled over a speeding vehicle on the evening of Aug. 4 and, upon approaching the vehicle, he found an “extremely distraught family with an unresponsive child, named Camila, in the back seat,” the Calgary Police Service said in a social media post.
The child’s father had been taking his daughter to hospital because, although she was conscious, she was exhibiting “several signs of medical distress.” Rather than writing a ticket, Chong put his emergency training to work on the spot, the Aug. 8 post said.
“Desperate for assistance, the mother instinctively passed Camila to Const. Chong,” the post said.
“Const. Chong suspected the child was choking & after confirmation from Camila’s mother that she recently ate, he promptly performed back blows to dislodge the obstruction.”
The back blows were successful in clearing Camila’s airway, but Chong knew the child still needed urgent medical attention.
Rather than wait for an ambulance, Chong provided the family with a police escort to the hospital. Additional officers assisted with directing traffic near the South Health Campus in Calgary, enabling the family to “arrive within minutes.”
Camila received “immediate care” before being transferred to the Alberta Children’s Hospital for further treatment, police said. She was released from the hospital a few days later with a clean bill of health.
Camila’s parents, Verga and Nacbar, invited Chong to their home this week to thank him for helping them in their time of need, the post said.
The officer did not go empty-handed, however. He brought with him a large brown teddy bear sporting a bright red bow for the now healthy and happy toddler.
“The parents expressed immense gratitude towards Const. Chong’s heroic actions & all those involved in ensuring Camila’s prompt & safe arrival at the hospital,” the post said.
“The family presented Const. Chong with a box of chocolates as a thank you, noting their experience with our officers was remarkable & they will forever remember Const. Chong for his role in saving Camila’s life.”
