Community Corner
Teen With Autism Saves Girl From Choking
Doctors say Austin Medlock's quick thinking saved Kaelie Burk's life.
An ordinary bus ride home from school turned into a harrowing ordeal for one Wentzville teenager, KSDK St. Louis reports. Someone threw a quarter towards the back of the bus and, in a one-in-a-million chance, it landed in Kaelie Burk's mouth, lodging in her throat. With Burk choking, Austin Medlock, a teenager with autism, jumped into action, performing the Heimlich Maneuver and saving the girl's life:
"It didn't get the quarter all the way out but at least she was able to breathe,” Austin said. X-rays showed the quarter in Kaelie’s throat. Doctors were able to remove it.
“They said if he wouldn't have given me the Heimlich I would not be here,” Kaelie said. “I think that he’s my hero.”
Medlock's mother said she was proud of her son's quick thinking. Read more from KSDK.
Photo by David McNew/News/Getty Images
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