Custodian awarded Red Cross award

PORT ORCHARD, WA — Hidden Creek Elementary School''s head custodian is recognized for saving the life of a first-grader, according to the Port Orchard Independent.

In November, Erik Young saved the life of Ricky Galvez, who approached him while choking on a plum pit he accidentally swallowed, the article stated.

"He literally just bit off more than he could chew. He actually approached me, which is unusual for someone who is choking. I recognized that he was in distress," said Young.

"I did a couple of abdominal thrusts and out it came," Young added.

According to the article, on Thursday, Young will be recognized as a Red Cross Real Heroes Award recipient.

Young says all custodians must receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first-aid training, but that the incident in November was the first time he had ever had to use it, the article noted.

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