A Calgary police officer is receiving praise for saving a toddler from choking last weekend.
In a post to social media, the Calgary Police Service (CPS) says on Saturday, Aug. 3 just before 9:30 p.m., Cst. Chong was working out of District 8 when he saw a vehicle driving recklessly and speeding along eastbound Stoney Trail SE.
Chong pulled the vehicle over, and found an “extremely distraught” family with an unresponsive child named Camila in the back seat.
Police say the girl’s father was urgently on the way to the hospital as his daughter was conscious, but showing several signs of medical distress.
Chong was able to determine Camila was choking and performed life-saving measures, including blows to dislodge the obstruction.
The girl’s airway was cleared as a result of the officer’s efforts, but she still needed urgent medical attention, CPS says.
The constable gave a police escort to the family vehicle as they continued on to the hospital.
Additional District 8 officers helped to direct traffic near the South Health Campus, meaning the family got to the hospital within minutes.
CPS says Camila got care immediately and was eventually transferred to the Alberta Children’s Hospital for further treatment.
She was released from hospital a few days later with a clean bill of heath.
Camila’s parents, Verga and Nacbar, invited Chong to their home afterwards to thank him for their efforts.
The officer brought along a big teddy bear for the girl and the family thanked him with chocolates.
According to CPS, the parents expressed “immense” gratitude towards Chong for his actions and say they will forever remember the officer for his role in saving Camila’s life.