A Georgia school bus driver is being hailed as a hero after he saved an elementary student from choking, Atlanta News First reports.
According to a video posted by the Cobb County School District, Michael Green had only been driving school buses for a month when the incident occurred as he was taking students home from Mableton Elementary.
A student got his attention to tell him that a girl was choking on the bus. Green said he then saw the girl standing in the aisle holding her throat through his rearview mirror.
“I knew I had to help this little girl out,” the bus driver said.
Green said he pulled and performed the Heimlich maneuver, removing a piece of candy from her throat.
“I never had any CPR or Heimlich maneuver classes,” he said. “It just kicked in.”
The driver then turned the bus around and went back to Mableton Elementary to get help from school staff until her family could pick her up.
“Her little brother told me, ‘Thanks for saving my sister’s life,’” Green said. “I’m just glad I was able to help.”
Mableton officials applauded the bus driver for his efforts to save the girl.
“He has our deepest thanks for keeping his composure and helping our precious student,” Mableton Assistant Principal Lori Arends said in a statement. “I was so proud of his actions, including having the presence of mind to call us and bring her back to the school. He was so humble. Thank you, Mr. Green!”
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