Of all the possible decisions she could have made ...
The way it’s described as being stuck in there, it was probably better to do it deliberately and get to emergency, than to let it happen in an uncontrolled way if she gagged again.
Some people have really powerful gag reflexes. I can go into dry heaves if I have a bad cold and try to clear my throat.
I doubt a lot of stories from NY Post and The Mail; but I think this one is legit.