Teacher performs Heimlich maneuver to save student

HALLSVILLE, Mo. -- A Missouri middle school teacher is being applauded for her quick actions after performing the Heimlich maneuver on a student who had a piece of candy lodged in his throat.

The Columbia Daily Tribune reported eighth-grader Gage Donner was walking in the hall at Hallsville Middle School on Wednesday when a piece of candy blocked his air passage.

A friend saw Donner was in trouble and got the attention of sixth-grade teacher Betsy Berry. She said she saw Donner gagging and pointing to his throat and chest.

Berry said she has no formal training in the Heimlich maneuver but saw her father do it when she was 10 or 11.

Donner will receive the Hallsville Chamber of Commerce's Hometown Hero Award in December.