Heartstopping video footage has emerged online showing the moment a teacher saved a choking third-grader's life.
As reported by CBS News,East Orange Community Charter School teacher JaNiece Jenkins has been praised after she acted fast in what was a terrifying ordeal for everybody involved.
Earlier this month, Jenkins was teaching her third-grade math class when she suddenly heard one of her students, a young boy named Robert, coughing at his desk.
Although Jenkins initially thought nine-year-old Robert was just clearing his throat, surveillance footage reveals that the youngster had actually got a bottle cap lodged in his throat after trying to open it with his teeth.
Watch the scary moment unfold below:Realizing he was in trouble, a quick-thinking Robert ran over to the back of the class to try and spit the cap out into a sink. Unable to do so, he approached his teacher at her desk and signaled for help.
Pointing at his throat, Jenkins realizes the boy is choking and quickly turns him around and performs the Heimlich maneuver.
Very quickly, the cap becomes dislodged and Robert is okay, as Jenkins can be seen comforting the young boy.
Amazingly, Robert appears to handle the situation calmly. (Whereas, if it was me, I'd have been crying on the floor asking the teacher to call my mommy and swearing off any food or drink for life.)
Speaking to CBS, the heroic teacher said: "I just sprung into action."
She continued: "After, I was relieved. I was relieved that he was okay and he was safe. But then I'm like, 'Oh my gosh, did this just really happen?'"
Jenkins also told Fox & Friends that she had learned the life-saving maneuver as part of her training - having recently completed a course in first aid and CPR.
"I took a moment, looked, surveyed over my class, made sure they were all okay and then, of course, I took Robert to see the nurse," Jenkins told Fox & Friends. It was only after she had checked on her class that the gravity of the situation hit her.
"Afterwards, I saw the video and then I was like, Oh, this really happened," Jenkins said, adding: "I got all emotional."
Jenkins - a true hero in the community - will now be recognized as such, and is set to receive an award and proclamation from East Orange Mayor Ted Green and Congressman Donald Payne Jr.
Truly an amazing woman and a hero!
