'I Feel Very Grateful For Him Now': Broken Arrow Teacher Saves Choking Student

Lunchtime begins as normal for students at Oliver Middle School. Wednesday, February 21st started as normal too for teacher and coach Jeffrey Adams.

“Well, it was a typical day... kind of like today, kind of loud,” he said. 

But things began to take a turn.

6th grader Matthew Wagner was eating his chicken sandwich too fast and began to choke, prompting staff to act immediately.

“One tried to do the Heimlich maneuver but couldn’t get a good enough grip, then Coach Adams came along,” said Wagner.

“Just doing my duty, walking around, and Mrs. Tanner yelled 'Adams,' and when Mrs. Tanner says 'Adams,' I drop everything and go…doesn’t matter what it is,” Adams said. 

Coach Adams says by the time he came to help, Matthew’s face had already turned blue.

“I’ve never seen anybody that close to death,” he said. 

But after a couple of abdominal thrusts, out popped the food.

“It felt insanely scary…terrifying even,” said Wagner.

Luckily, Coach Adams was nearby to save the day and Matthew's life.

While he’s being hailed a hero, he credits the response of everyone involved.

“Thank the Lord we were ready,” he said. 

And Matthew says he’s just happy to be alive.

“Coach Adams came along and saved me. I feel very grateful for him now,” he said. 

The school is making sure teachers now know basic first aid like the Heimlich maneuver to better handle emergencies like this.

Staff also say they now want to have a choking rescue device on campus.