UDOT worker saves life of choking 5-year-old girl
Dec 23, 2021, 6:40 PM | Updated: 10:03 pm
This image from body camera video shows a UDOT working save a choking child. (Used by permission, Utah Highway Patrol)
(Used by permission, Utah Highway Patrol)
DRAPER, Utah – A Utah Department of Transportation worker jumped into action Wednesday night and saved a 5-year-old girl’s life in Draper.
The incident happened around 7:30 p.m. after Robert Bratton, a member of UDOT’s Incident Management Team, noticed a car swerve into a Maverik gas station parking lot.
While approaching the car at 14814 S. Minuteman Drive, a distraught woman jumped out of the vehicle and began crying out for help. Her 5-year-old daughter was choking in the back seat.
Bratton quickly took the child and placed her across his knee, beginning the reverse Heimlich maneuver.
“I placed her face down on this knee and I was able to start the Heimlich maneuver, and after about four or five of those (pats on the child’s back), I was able to unlock the obstruction, thankfully,” Bratton said.
The girl then started to breathe normally.
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Trooper Zesiger with the Utah Highway Patrol was also on scene Wednesday night.
“Trooper Zesiger called for medical and the child was checked out by EMS,” read an Instagram post from UHP.
In October, the Utah Department of Public Safety awarded Bratton the “Lifesaving Medal” for saving a 15-year-old’s life in 2020.
Robert Bratton saved the choking child. (Used by permission, UDOT)
