AMESBURY — A Cashman Elementary School bus driver sprung into action in a life-or-death situation when a student began choking, using her Heimlich maneuver training to save a life.
Salter Transportation’s Laura Newcomb has been driving school buses in Amesbury for about seven years but on Jan. 9, her drop-off route took an unexpected turn.
As Newcomb was driving, students alerted her that a peer was choking on gum and unable to breathe. Newcomb pulled the bus over safely and saw a boy gasping for air.
Luckily, Newcomb has been trained in the Heimlich maneuver for 22 years and was able to perform it on the student, saving his life.
During the scary moment, Newcomb said protecting the choking child and the other children was what went through her mind.
“I’m a mom. I’m a mom to three kids who are all in the school system,” she said. “And, when I’m on that bus, all of those kids are my kids. And, I treated that child as I would want someone to treat mine. And, if somebody saw that one of my children was struggling, I would hope that there would be somebody there to help them.,”
Keeping students on her bus safe is something Newcomb said she prioritizes every time she drives.
“The parents trust me with their children to get them to and from school safely and happily. And, I think that that is the most important thing, to have somebody give you their trust with their child. And, if I can do something that keeps them safe and healthy, that is what I will do,” she said.
Superintendent Elizabeth McAndrews praised Newcomb for stepping up in a stressful moment.
“I cannot say enough about what she did. It was incredible to watch the video, just the composure, the certainty with which she acted and didn’t hesitate and did what the student needed to have done,” she said.
Maryann Kocur, vice president of operations for Salter Transportation, also commended Newcomb for her valiant efforts.
“We applaud Laura for her heroic efforts to help a student and we are grateful to count her as part of our incredible team of drivers who show up every day to make a positive difference for students,” she said.
Newcomb said she believes everyone should take the time to be trained in the Heimlich maneuver as it could help save others or yourself.
“I think everybody should have that training. And, not only an emergency situation for somebody else, but they train you how to do it on yourself as well,” she said. “It’s a lifesaving skill that is relatively easy, and it’s an important skill to have. If you can save somebody’s life, it’s absolutely something I feel everyone should have.”
Newcomb recently had to give her young daughter the Heimlich and said in the moment where she had to perform the maneuver on the student, her training kicked in.
“If I didn’t have the training, I would still have done my very best. But, I don’t think I would have been as prepared,” she said.
While her heroic actions saved a child’s life, Newcomb said she was proud of the students in the back who looked out for their friend.
“I really would like to note how proud I am of my kids in the back of the bus to stand up and say, ‘My friend needs help’. Because it’s scary, especially for an elementary school child. And, I am so proud of them for being able to stand up and advocate, not only for themselves, for their friend to say he needs help,” she said.
An email sent to Salter Transportation for comment was not returned in time for this story.