SMITHFIELD – A driver and monitor from DATTCO School Bus are being hailed for their quick work saving the life of a child in their care.
The Smithfield Town Council last week gave special recognition to bus monitor Caroline King and driver Renee Grey for helping 9-year-old LaPerche Elementary School student Braxton Howard after he choked on a piece of Life Savers candy last month as his bus departed from the school.
Council President John Tassoni Jr. said drivers and monitors are rarely recognized enough for the work they do, as parents entrust their children to them. Speaking to Howard, he said he probably wouldn’t be here if it hadn’t been for them.
“Your selflessness and dedication to the safety of the students is greatly appreciated,” he said.
Howard’s family, including grandmother Denise and parents Samantha and Joshua, said they were grateful for the attentiveness and quick action by the employees.
King responded first as students began yelling about Howard choking, and as Grey pulled over, she began performing the Heimlich maneuver on the child. She then brought him to the front of the bus to have more room, and Grey also started taking turns doing the same. Howard was eventually able to speak and breathe again, but was still in distress as he asked King to do the Heimlich again. She did so, and the candy came loose from his throat.
“The entire incident took less than a minute, but at that moment, these two women acted quickly, calmly, and courageously under extreme pressure to save a child’s life,” stated a letter from Denise Howard.
Braxton told his parents that evening about what happened that evening, telling them how the two women had saved his life.
