A South Jersey police officer and local EMTs are being hailed as heroes after saving the life of a choking toddler.
The incident happened on the side of the road in Harrison Township, Glocester County last Tuesday evening.
Grandmother Maureen O'Laughlin and her grandson 20-month-old Oliver were singing songs and driving when suddenly there was silence.
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O'Laughlin looked the in rear-facing car seat mirror and saw Oliver struggling and turning blue so she pulled over.
According to police, Cpl. Kevin McGowan of the Harrison Township Police Department was responding to an unrelated call for service when he stopped and saw a vehicle with its rear driver-side door open.
McGowan observed O'laughlin calling for help while trying to remove a child from a seat.
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When McGowan reached them, Oliver was unconscious and had been choking. McGowan removed Oliver from the car and began performing back blows but his airway remained blocked.
O'Laughlin's car had been parked in front of the Gloucester County EMS station at the corner of N. Main Street and Colson Lane and EMT Jenine Ellena had noticed the incident from the parking lot and ran over to assist.
Ellena, with the assistance of her partner EMT Richard Kennedy, was able to dislodge the obstruction and Oliver was able to breathe again.
Oliver was taken to the hospital as a precaution but released that evening and is doing well.
"They saved him. They saved our family it was miraculous, all of it," O'Laughlin told NBC10.
Oliver's grandfather who just retired after 30 years of policing wrote to Cpl. McGowan saying in part:
"Thanks to you, your training, your quick action - you saved Ollie."
"Cpl. McGowan's quick actions and calm administration of first aid saved precious time that allowed for he and EMTs Ellena/Kennedy to work together and save the child's life," Harrison Township Police Chief Ronald Cundey said in a statement. "Their efforts, along with the other emergency services personnel that arrived to assist, reflect greatly on the training and dedication that they possess."
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