First Responders Helped Choking Girl After A Police Officer Stopped Her Dad For Speeding

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Fredericksburg police officers assisted a choking girl after a traffic stop on Thursday morning, according to the police department. EMS responders were able to free the girl's airway after several tense minutes, authorities said.

Around 4 a.m. on Thursday morning, a Fredericksburg police officer said he saw a driver speeding in the 500 block of Emancipation Highway. The officer stopped the vehicle, but when he approached it, the driver leaned out the window and said his daughter was choking.

The police officer obtained permission from the girl's father and picked her up to assess her condition, according to the police report. The officer learned that the girl was conscious, but there was clearly something blocking her airway.

The officer called for EMS assistance and began to give her back pats in attempt to dislodge the object in her airway. A pair of other Fredericksburg police officers arrived on the scene three minutes later and helped keep the girl's airway open.

EMS arrived a short time later and took over first aid, authorities said. They were able to free the child's airway and she was able to speak again.

"Situations like this give us goosebumps, make our stomachs drop, and make us want to hug our loved ones a little tighter than usual," the Fredericksburg Police Department said on Facebook. "The quick actions of these officers are truly remarkable. We are beyond proud of their commitment to our community."

The Centers for Disease Control outlines several tips to avoid choking hazards for children on their website. Their suggestions include avoiding eating in the car, avoiding small, sticky or hard food, and keeping a close eye on what the child puts in their mouth.