LI Middle Schooler Saves Best Friend's Life With Heimlich

FARMINGDALE, NY — A Farmingdale student saved his best friend's life after he began choking on mozzarella at Howitt Middle School on Jan. 24, according to the school district.

Daniel Kelly and Anthony Agrillo were eating lunch during fifth period while in the middle of midterms week. Both boys looked forward to a relaxing lunch and recess.

Agrillo, while eating a mozzarella stick, began banging on the table and pointed to his throat. Him and Kelly locked eyes.

"It all happened so fast," Kelly said via news release. "I got up, threw my arms around him, and started performing the Heimlich. Within seconds a piece of food shot out of his mouth."

With his airway cleared, Agrillo's breathing returned to normal.

"He didn’t hesitate," Agrillo said. "Daniel is a loyal friend, he saw I was in trouble, and he acted."

The Heimlich Hero program was taught to all Howitt Middle School students during health class earlier this school year. Students watched a 15-minute video teaching them how to recognize the signs of choking and respond with the Heimlich maneuver.

Cheryl DePierro, assistant principal of the middle school, was motivated to bring the Heimlich Heroes program to Farmingdale after a choking incident in the teacher’s lounge last year.

"The Heimlich maneuver is very easy to learn and a great first step for students of all ages to begin learning life-saving techniques," DePierro said. "Regardless of a student's age, size or strength, they can successfully dislodge an item from someone's throat when choking and save a life. I am so proud of all our students who took the training seriously, and I am especially proud of Anthony and Daniel for remembering exactly what to do in an emergency. It is one of those skills you never want to use but are happy to have when the time calls for it!"

The Farmingdale School District plans to recognize its Howitt Heimlich Heroes at its next board of education meeting in February.

Kelly, who went to Saltzman East Memorial, and Agrillo, who went to Northside, became friends over the summer after meeting through the Farmingdale Hawks Football program. The two entered Howitt Middle School this year together.