'Hero' Long Island School Aide Hailed For Saving Choking Student

RONKONKOMA, NY — A quick-thinking school teacher aide jumped into action to save a choking student last week, Connetquot Central School District officials said.

Duffield Elementary School teacher aide Stella Tsimis' knowledge of the Heimlich maneuver saved the life of a second-grade student, who was choking during lunchtime, according to officials.

Tsimis told News 12 she heard children screaming that Seren Mavruk was choking, and then she saw her running towards her "and she was red, and she was kind of pointing to herself that she was struggling."

Mavruk told the outlet that was having trouble seeing she was choking so hard, adding, "could barely see so I saw this, like, grownup, so I ran over to her."

"I just did what I would hope anyone would do and I'm glad I knew what to do," Tsimis told the outlet.

Tsimis is now being hailed as a hero by school and district employees for saving the child's life.

“Ms. Tsimis stepped up without hesitation and we all thank her for saving the student’s life," he said school Principal Lisa Farrell. "She is a hero.”