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Haverhill Custodian With No Heimlich Training Saves Choking Student's Life

HAVERILL (CBS) - An eighth grader at Whittier Middle School in Haverhill says a custodian saved his life. This happened during lunch, when custodian Luis Gonzalez saw 14-year-old Elijah Marinez choking on a hamburger.

"He made the signal that he was choking and I was… lucky enough to be near him," said Gonzalez.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Mary Blake reports

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Gonzalez quickly called the nurse then performed the Heimlich.

"I've never been trained but I see it all the time on TV, doctor's office, and I read about it a lot," said Gonzalez.

Believe it or not, this is the second time Gonzalez has performed the Heimlich. He did it on his son many years ago. Both times were successful.

It should come as no surprise, Marinez and family are grateful to Gonzalez and call him a hero.

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