fter losing her husband in the World Trade Center and nearly losing her home when Flight 587 crashed in the Rockaways, Kimberly Moran was headed for a Christmas vacation yesterday when tragedy almost struck again.Posted on 12/20/2001 4:18:32 PM PST by cantbebought
By MICHELE McPHEE and RICHARD WEIR
Daily News Staff Writers
fter losing her husband in the World Trade Center and nearly losing her home when Flight 587 crashed in the Rockaways, Kimberly Moran was headed for a Christmas vacation yesterday when tragedy almost struck again.
 |
 |
| Four-year-old Dylan Moran with the three firemen who saved his life |
Her 4-year-old son Dylan began choking on jawbreaker candy and quickly turned blue. But two fast-acting cops and a passing volunteer firefighter saved the boy — sparing the Moran family more heartbreak.
"They just seemed like they were there all of a sudden," the firefighter's widow said last night. "Thank God. They saved my son's life."
Moran, 41, and her sons, Dylan and Ryan, 7, were being driven by a friend to Kennedy Airport to catch a flight to Seattle so they could visit her parents in Ellensburg, Wash.
She had given the boys jawbreakers for the car trip. "The little one started choking on it," she said. "He coughed and inhaled it into his throat."
With the car stopped in the middle of Beach Channel Drive near Beach 116th St., Queens, Moran struggled to free her son from his seat belt.
Officer John Rocklein was in a scooter nearby when he heard a woman yelling, "My child is choking," and rushed over. He was joined by Officer Thomas Bowden, who had been walking a beat.
The cops performed a finger sweep of the boy's throat and the Heimlich maneuver, but both failed. Then Rocklein turned him over and delivered several back blows.
"Nothing worked for about three minutes. It started getting bad," said Rocklein, 31.
With the boy turning bluer, Rocklein tried once again to clear Dylan's throat. "I've got big hands. I tried getting mine in far enough but I couldn't," Rocklein said.
But John Nies, a volunteer firefighter from Breezy Point who stopped to help, was able to get his finger in deep enough to wiggle the jawbreaker loose.
"Once he got it out, he took a deep breath and started crying," Rocklein said.
Dylan was rushed to Peninsula Hospital, where he was admitted overnight for observation.
Moran said she will reschedule her flight to Saturday. This time, she said, "No jawbreakers."
Moran's husband, Battalion Chief John Moran, was killed on Sept. 11. His brother, Mike, also a firefighter, gained notice when he took to the stage at Madison Square Garden during October's Concert for New York and told Osama Bin Laden to "kiss my royal Irish [expletive]."
Original Publication Date: 12/20/01
Hope the little guy is okay and back to normal soon.
Often God's angels appear from nowhere. Thank Him for allowing this precious child to be saved and preventing further heartache to the family.
Good point. I know I'd probably still be walking around in a daze if I were her.
I love it when lives are saved by men and women who don't quit and give it their all. GOd Bless the men who saved the life of the little boy. Someday, that boy they saved will grow up and do great things for others, you watch.
Urban myth or truth?: LifeSavers are shaped like that to prevent choking. And I always thought it was just because they're shaped like lifesavers.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.