Happy Ending In Howell: Rescue Of Choking Child Brings Joy To All

HOWELL, NJ — It's a call that strikes fear in anyone - but especially in the parents of young child.

A 17-month-old was choking.

In the early morning hours of Dec. 2, Howell First Aid and Rescue #1 at 19-21 was dispatched to the call that "we never want to hear," the rescue squad leaders recalled in a recent post on its Facebook site.

Anthony DeMatteo and John Zicha, chief and president of the squad, said both the rescue team and officers from Howell Township Police Department got to the Howell home as fast as they could.

"We understand that every single call and emergency is time sensitive but in a case like this, every second counts and time is always against us," they said.

After arriving on the scene, first-arriving units realized that the boy had a fully obstructed airway, which was not allowing air movement. Choking lifesaving measures were used and EMTs Brian Foran, Robert De Leo and David Goodman made the decision that it was time to get to the hospital.

The units tried to meet up with Advanced Life Support, which are paramedics but, but none were available, the leaders of the squad recalled.

"Constant measures were taken while on route to the hospital and along the way; a partial airway was obtained and air was starting to move. After transferring the patient to local emergency room staff, they were able to stabilize him and transfer him to another hospital via Medevac for further evaluation."

But this frightening story has a happy ending.

The squad was pleased to announce that the little boy was "released with a completely clear report and no deficits of any kind have been found," the squad leaders said this week.

And there was a chance to celebrate this lifesaving event this Wednesday when both EMTs and Howell police officers visited the family and gave the little boy and his older sister Christmas gifts (he got toy cars) and had a moment of cheer for the kids, the family - and all the first responders.

"We're happy we were able to do our part," said Sgt. Mike Popek of Howell, " and the outcome was a happy one."

The squad wanted to share a photo of the moment with "the men that turned this nightmare into a Christmas miracle."

"We cannot thank enough the officers of Howell PD who were there and the Howell Police 911 Telecommunicators who took the call and were relaying critical information for their assistance. It was a team effort all around with a phenomenal outcome. Stories and memories like this will be with us forever and help us more than you know," DeMatteo and Zicha said.

It's quite a memory for the family, too, which posted this thanks:

"That’s my boy! You guys really made this miracle happen, saved my son's life. God bless you guys. We are forever grateful for you. You’re our heroes."

And for the squad's leaders, it's also a moment for reflection.

"We are extremely proud of our members and we wanted to wish the family a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!" the post said.