Passing motorist saves choking boy

A passing motorist who helped to save a choking 3-year-old boy has got in touch with the child's grateful mother - who says doing a first aid course is now at the top of her to-do list.

Tracey Kaminski went into a "panic" when a lolly got stuck in her son Kaleb's throat as she was driving on the Whangaparoa Peninsula last week. He was saved by a passing motorist.

On Friday, Ms Kaminski pleaded for help to find the "angel" with the blonde bob who saved her son.

Now, thanks to the story being shared thousands of times on social media, her angel has got in touch.

Ms Kaminski said she wanted to meet up to thank her properly.

The woman, who remains unidentified, did not seem to want recognition for the feat, Ms Kaminski said.

"She seems like she's done what she's done, she's really happy it's helped him, but I don't think she really wants that much of a fuss made over her. I think she deserves heaps of recognition," she said.

Following Friday's incident, Ms Kaminski has been gifted a free first aid course by the Hibiscus Coast Parents Centre - and she's booked in to complete it as soon as possible in September.

"It was kind of on the top of my list of things to do after Friday, so it's worked out nicely to get that opportunity," she said.

"I hope that it does inspire some people to do the same. It was horrible. Life can change so quickly."

Ms Kaminski said she was in jammed-up traffic on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula at 4pm on Friday when she heard 3-year-old Kaleb making "strange noises" and realised he was choking.

She screamed for help from other motorists and her angel arrived.

The woman, who also had a girl of about 10 in her car, grabbed Kaleb and began forcefully striking his back before performing what Kaminski thought was the Heimlich manoeuvre, eventually managing to dislodge the lolly.

"[Kaleb] was struggling, his face was going red, his eyes were bulging and he was looking at me like 'help me, help me'. I went into a panic.

"Thank God that lovely lady was there. She was my angel."

Kaleb had a sore throat and was quiet for a long time but was otherwise unharmed, she said.

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