Racing to the Scene
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In Benidorm, a Local Police officer saved the life of a four-year-old girl who was showing signs of asphyxia after choking on a gummy candy. The intervention involved the Heimlich maneuver and led to the child expelling the candy and resuming breathing. The rapid action prevented a serious outcome and underscored the importance of immediate first aid in children.
Minutes earlier, the incident occurred around midday when the girl left her school under the supervision of her mother and two other women. Authorities indicated that the choking was caused by a gummy candy, a common hazard during snack times. Onlookers watched as the child struggled for air, and panic spread briefly before help arrived.
When breathing was nearly impossible, patrol officer Luisma Roselló was nearby in the city center and responded to the call from the police dispatch. He promptly applied the Heimlich maneuver, dislodging the candy and allowing the girl to regain breaths through the convulsions of coughing and a renewed flow of air.
As Roselló later explained, although the distance to Urano Street, the place of the event, was short from his current position, navigating the area by vehicle proved difficult. He had to leave the car and run to reach the scene, knowing that every moment counts in choking emergencies.
Upon arriving at the girl, he quickly assessed the situation, knelt down, and placed her on his chest. He delivered three firm thrusts between the chest and abdomen until a portion of the candy was expelled. The child continued to breathe with some difficulty; sensing not to overdo it, he escorted them toward a nearby health center with the mother to ensure proper observation.
The Local Police of Benidorm later announced the rescue on their social networks, sharing a photo of the officer carrying the girl and praising her as their new superhero friend in the community.
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Roselló has previously been involved in a similar rescue earlier this year during the Three Kings parade. While off duty, he assisted a two-year-old who had also started choking, helping the child regain breathing amid the festive crowd.
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