Hero doctor saves four year old boy's life in Lowton
Stefan Balogun had swallowed a coin and couldn't breath
Last updated 22nd Sep 2017
An off-duty doctor’s quick-thinking saved the life of the four year old, who was on his way to school.
Dr Abdul Ashish, who works for Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust, had just come off the East Lancashire Road when he saw a car in front of him swerve sharply to the side.
Four-year-old Stefan Balogun, had swallowed a £1 coin from his lunch money and was struggling to breath.
His mum Michelle pulled over on Newton Road in Lowton, and grabbed him from the car and banged on his back to try and dislodge the coin.
With the coin completely blocking his windpipe, Dr Ashish performed the Heimlich manoeuvre on Stefan, helping him to breathe again.
Dr Ashish said: “Stefan was in quite a bit of distress. His eyes were blood shot.
“It was a very emotionally charged moment but between myself and James we managed to dislodge the coin.”
Dr Ashish stayed with the Stefan and Michelle, until the ambulance and a police arrived at the scene to direct rush-hour traffic, before continuing on to clinic to continue his work- albeit slightly late and a little soggy from the downpour that morning.
Stefan was soon back to his old self, asking for sausages and chips!
In an emotional reunion at Wigan Infirmary, Michelle and Stefan presented Dr Ashish with a thank you card and a bunch of flowers.
Dr Ashish said: “. I really am no hero but simply did what anyone of our staff would do to help a mum in a state of panic.
Michelle thanked everyone involved in helping her son, adding: “I know if these people hadn’t come to help, it could have been much worse.