fter losing her husband in the World Trade Center and nearly losing her home when Flight 587 crashed in the Rockaways, Kimberly Moran was headed for a Christmas vacation yesterday when tragedy almost struck again.Posted on 12/20/2001 4:18:32 PM PST by cantbebought
By MICHELE McPHEE and RICHARD WEIR
Daily News Staff Writers
fter losing her husband in the World Trade Center and nearly losing her home when Flight 587 crashed in the Rockaways, Kimberly Moran was headed for a Christmas vacation yesterday when tragedy almost struck again.
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| Four-year-old Dylan Moran with the three firemen who saved his life |
Her 4-year-old son Dylan began choking on jawbreaker candy and quickly turned blue. But two fast-acting cops and a passing volunteer firefighter saved the boy — sparing the Moran family more heartbreak.
"They just seemed like they were there all of a sudden," the firefighter's widow said last night. "Thank God. They saved my son's life."
Moran, 41, and her sons, Dylan and Ryan, 7, were being driven by a friend to Kennedy Airport to catch a flight to Seattle so they could visit her parents in Ellensburg, Wash.
She had given the boys jawbreakers for the car trip. "The little one started choking on it," she said. "He coughed and inhaled it into his throat."
With the car stopped in the middle of Beach Channel Drive near Beach 116th St., Queens, Moran struggled to free her son from his seat belt.
Officer John Rocklein was in a scooter nearby when he heard a woman yelling, "My child is choking," and rushed over. He was joined by Officer Thomas Bowden, who had been walking a beat.
The cops performed a finger sweep of the boy's throat and the Heimlich maneuver, but both failed. Then Rocklein turned him over and delivered several back blows.
"Nothing worked for about three minutes. It started getting bad," said Rocklein, 31.
With the boy turning bluer, Rocklein tried once again to clear Dylan's throat. "I've got big hands. I tried getting mine in far enough but I couldn't," Rocklein said.
But John Nies, a volunteer firefighter from Breezy Point who stopped to help, was able to get his finger in deep enough to wiggle the jawbreaker loose.
"Once he got it out, he took a deep breath and started crying," Rocklein said.
Dylan was rushed to Peninsula Hospital, where he was admitted overnight for observation.
Moran said she will reschedule her flight to Saturday. This time, she said, "No jawbreakers."
Moran's husband, Battalion Chief John Moran, was killed on Sept. 11. His brother, Mike, also a firefighter, gained notice when he took to the stage at Madison Square Garden during October's Concert for New York and told Osama Bin Laden to "kiss my royal Irish [expletive]."
Original Publication Date: 12/20/01
This all happened within two blocks of leaving their home. So these guys,policemen and fireman,were in the neighborhood.The fireman,John Nies,is a friend of John Moran!(How's that for "coincidence"!?)
Ryan and Dylan are coming to my place for Christmas and I hope an extended visit. We have snow galore,horses,Grampa's shop W/ stuff,snowmobiles etc. so we'll have a grand time!
I told Kim she's got to stay out of the news!! I'm gettin way too old for this!
GOD BLESS you John Rocklein,Thomas Bowden and John Nies.I am forever in your debt!!
I don't know whether to laugh or cry.
God bless you and the Moran family.
You are absolutely right, HLL. Many years ago, my oldest aspirated a peanut at 13 months (and no, I certainly didn't give it to her!) and almost choked to death. She suffered a collapsed lung and pneumonia as a result and was in the hospital for 2 days. The doctors told me that nuts are one of the worst things for the little ones, not only because of the size, but because the oils and salts line the lungs. Other baddies: celery, carrots and other fibrous veggies, hard candies of any sort, hot dogs, and, possible THE worst of all, grapes. (They fit like a plug into children's windpipes.)
I always cringe when I read these stories. Jawbreakers...UGH!!!
She now has the opportunity to see how much her husband and his fellow public safety officials mean to our society!
Norb in Jacksonville
I, too, am inspired by such stories.
Which is why I subscribe to Heroic Stories .. a weekly newsletter that contains an inspiring story of unsung heroism each week. The slogan they use is " Restoring Faith in Humanity...one story at a time. "
No spam, no hidden agenda .. just a great read, IMHO.
Regards
Sadim
Fortunatately ice melts! Is that how you ended up surviving?
Sorry about your child, it's a lesson for all of us.
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