Boston police officers save choking 6-week-old infant in South End

BOSTON (WHDH) - Boston police officers are being praised after saving a six-week-old infant who was choking in the South End on Wednesday, police say.

Officers on patrol in the intersection of Washington Street and Waltham Street around 3:15 p.m. were flagged down for a medical emergency and were approached by a distraught father who said his six-week-old baby appeared to be choking.

Officers James O’Connor and Arthur Green were directed to a nearby motor vehicle where they saw the mother holding the infant. The mother handed her baby to officers who immediately noted the child was red in the face and was not breathing.

They administered life-saving aid on scene by clearing the infant’s airway and restoring his breathing.

“I take the baby and turn him on his side and start doing back massages and thumps on the back to see what’s blocking the baby’s airway,” O’Connor said. “At that point, the baby starts to throw up on my shirt and starts making some noises.”

Boston EMS soon arrived on scene and transported the baby, along with his relieved and grateful parents, to a nearby hospital for evaluation.

“Firstly, I want the parents to know that I’m thinking of them and praying for a speedy recovery for their little one,” Commissioner William Gross said. “I’m grateful that my officers were in the right place at the right time and that they were equipped with the training and the professionalism to help this family in their time of need and save this baby’s life.”

A witness, Shana Grant, watched the whole thing and said she was amazed and grateful to see how they responded.

“That was amazing,” Grant said. “Like I said they called for help but they were already on it doing whatever they could possibly do.”

O’Conner and Green went to the hospital to check up on the family and the father came out and met them in the parking lot enthusiastically thanking them for saving his child’s life.

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