An eight-year-old girl from Kannur, Kerala, was dramatically rescued on Tuesday evening after she began choking on a piece of chewing gum.
CCTV footage of the incident, which has since gone viral, shows the child placing chewing gum in her mouth while standing on her bicycle. Within moments, she appeared to struggle and quickly pedalled towards a group of men who were nearby purchasing vegetables.
Sensing the emergency, one of the men immediately rushed to her aid. Visuals show him lifting the girl, placing her across his arm, and applying firm back thrusts, while another youth assisted in the effort. Their timely intervention dislodged the gum, allowing the girl to breathe normally again.
The rescue video has been widely circulated on social media, drawing praise from many, including Kerala General Education Minister V. Sivankutty, who lauded the youths on Facebook.
“In Pallikkara, Kannur, youngsters saved a child who was choking on chewing gum. Thank you,” Sivankutty wrote.
Local residents also commended the girl’s quick thinking in seeking help and the swift, life-saving action of the young men.