The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Search to find mystery farm hero who helped save girl from choking
EMERGENCY: Fife mum’s emotional plea for man who assisted daughter to come forward
A grateful mum is searching for a knight in shining armour who saved her toddler daughter from choking during a fun day out.
The mystery man averted tragedy by stepping in when a strawberry became lodged in little Freya Fernie’s throat.
As the 21-month-old struggled to breathe during the terrifying incident at Cairnie Fruit Farm, near Cupar, the stranger managed to dislodge the piece of fruit by turning her upside down and whacking her on the back.
He then walked away while frantic mum Jody King was busy checking Freya was all right, meaning she did not manage to get his name.
She is now trying to track the man down so she can thank him properly for saving Freya’s life.
Jody, 32, from Cardenden, said: “I dread to think what would have happened if he hadn’t been there.”
Freya had gone to Cairnie with her mum, four-year-old sister Jorgia and other family members, including grandmother Ann Rollo, on Saturday to pick pumpkins.
She had not been feeling well so sat in her buggy while the other children played. Jody said Ann noticed Freya stuff half a strawberry, bought as a treat, into her mouth.
“She immediately began to choke and her face was turning red,” said Jody.
“I picked her out of her buggy and patted her on her back but it made no difference. I did it again and I could see she was starting to panic.
“My mum took her and tried to get it out and it didn’t work so we took her jacket off and tried again but it still wasn’t coming out.”
By now Freya had turned purple and her eyes were beginning to bulge.
“What you’re supposed to do in that situation went right out my head because I was panicking so much but that was when this guy strolled over, as calm as anything with his hands in his pockets, and said ‘you have to keep the baby upside-down’,” said Jody.
“He took her, tilted her right upsidedown and started hitting her harder than we had been.
“He carried on with it and the biggest part of the strawberry popped out and she was completely fine.”
Jody managed a quick thank-you but was shaking so much with emotion that she had to sit down and was given a cup of tea. By the time she turned back, the man had returned to his family and she was unable to speak to him.
“He told my mum his own daughter had choked on a pea pod when she was young and he took a children’s first aid course,” she said.
Anyone who knows who the man is can contact The Courier on 01382 575542 to be put in touch with Jody.