Choking woman 'owes life' to man who saved her

A woman says a hotel manager saved her life after she started choking on some food.

Nicolau Ferreira, manager at Oak Bar and Bistro, in Guernsey, said he was working his normal shift when he noticed customer Michaela Dowinton choking.

Mr Ferreira said he performed the Heimlich Manoeuvre on Ms Dowinton and added: "I just reacted, I put in action what I knew."

Ms Dowinton said: "I owe him my life because he did an amazing job."

Ms Dowinton said she often went to the Oak Bar and Bistro and on this occasion had the steak.

During her meal she said she found the garlic "a bit too garlicy" and as it hit the back of her throat the meat went down with it.

Ms Dowinton said: "I was running it through my head, cough.

"I couldn't cough. My partner was whacking me on the back."

Mr Ferreira said he had completed training for scenarios like this before so knew what to do.

"I acted instinctively, [and did the] Heimlich Manoeuvre. Done and dusted.

"For someone that hasn't done it before, don't panic just be calm and help."

Once the steak was cleared from Ms Dowinton's throat she was taken to A&E

She said: "I was all blotchy and I kept getting flashbacks of that night.

"It could have been my last night eating here or with my family.

"The doctors said I literally had seconds left of living and thank you to Nico, I owe him my life".

She said it was not until a few days later while she was cleaning a mirror at work and saw her reflection that the situation hit her: "I just burst into tears, I thought, oh what happened... It all came down."

To say thanks you, Ms Dowinton wrote Mr Ferreira a card. She said: "I appreciate what he did.

"If he didn't do it, I don't know if anyone else would have.

"I owe him my life because he did an amazing job... I don't know how to say thank you enough."

St John Ambulance said: "When someone is choking, their airway is partly or completely blocked, meaning they may be unable to breathe properly.

"They might be able to clear it by coughing, but if they can't you will need to help them straight away."

It said: "It is important to look out for the following symptoms:

Trust Me I'm A Doctor: What to do if someone is choking

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