A Minnesota teenager working in McDonald’s has been praised after her quick thinking saved a customer’s life.
When Sydney Raley spotted a customer choking on a chicken nugget, she leapt out of the drive-thru window and performed the Heimlich manoeuvre.
Speaking to KARE 11, the 15-year-old said it was a typical Saturday afternoon until she noticed a customer coughing, before she quickly realised she was choking.
“I jumped out the window of the drive-thru and I got her out of the car, told her daughter to call 911,” she said.
A bystander then helped Sydney perform the Heimlich manoeuvre, successfully dislodging the nugget from the customer’s throat.
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Sydney said: “I feel as though I’m actually capable of contributing to society and actually capable of making a difference.”
“You feel like a hero,” she added.
CNN reports that Sydney was taught the manoeuvre four years ago when she took a Red Cross babysitter class and thankfully she was able to spring into action when she spotted the customer struggling.
The customer was okay following the incident, but she was shocked and thankful.
Sydney’s parents Tom and Stephanie are proud of their daughter’s actions, as were officers from Edina Police Department who gave her $100 from a pot used to reward those who do good in the community.
Tom explained that Sydney was diagnosed with autism when she was younger and said: “We always worried it was going to be a challenge for her, and it’s done a complete 180. It’s actually been a blessing and a gift at this point. All the things we worried about never happened."
In a written statement Sydney’s employer also expressed his pride in the teen’s quick thinking.
Owner-operator Paul Ostergaard told CNN that Sydney “personifies what it is to be a hero”, and said they are lucky to have her as part of the team at the Eden Prairie restaurant.
He added: “We are excited to see all of the well-deserved recognition she has received from the community and will continue to celebrate her courageous efforts of literally jumping out of the drive-thru window to provide aid to a customer in need."
All in a day’s work!
