On 1-19-14 at 3:59 pm, a 9 year-old male called 911 to report that his 3 year-old sister was choking on a grape. South Pasadena Police Department officers arrived on scene one minute later and found the victim unconscious with extremely labored breathing. SPPD officers attempted to dislodge the grape, but were unsuccessful. South Pasadena Fire Department paramedics responded and momentarily treated the victim at the scene, but were also unable to dislodge the obstruction.
SPPD officers cleared a path along the approximately 3 mile route to Huntington Memorial Hospital to help SPFD paramedics expedite their transport and travel unimpeded to the hospital. In the emergency room, HMH doctors and staff were able to successfully remove the obstruction and the victim was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. The victim has since fully recovered with no adverse outcome.
On Thursday, February 13th, at 9:00 am in the courtyard of South Pasadena City Hall (1414 Mission St., South Pasadena 91030), SPPD Police Chief Art Miller will be holding a press conference to recognize the victim’s brother for his extraordinary 911 call which brought help to his sister, a local Starbucks employee on his way to work who stopped to assist and performed CPR, and the first responders for their life saving efforts. The press conference will also be the first opportunity for the family to meet the first responders.
Please come and join us to help celebrate this extraordinary event. If you have any questions, please contact Sgt. Mike Neff at 626-403-7292 or [email protected].
