Middle School Student Thought He ‘Was Going to Die’ in Scary Choking Incident Before a Teacher ‘Saved’ His Life

A student in Georgia recalled the terrifying moment he thought he “was going to die” while choking on food — and how a teacher “saved” his life. 

Dalton Tomberlain, a seventh-grader at McClure Middle School, revealed in a video shared by the Cobb County School District on Jan. 16 what happened before English teacher Valerie Hodge came to the rescue. 

“I was just eating a burger, and I felt like a soreness in my throat, and then I just could not breathe,” Dalton said, adding that he placed his hands around his neck to show Hodge he was choking on food.

“I thought I was going to die a little bit … it was just scary,” Dalton recalled.

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His mom, Courtney, added, “From what I understand, he was turning blue.”

That’s when Hodge, who isn’t Dalton’s teacher, did the Heimlich maneuver.

The teacher remembered, “I didn’t really even think, honestly. I just kind of reacted. I saw a student who was in trouble and … I just went into action.”

Feeling thankful, the middle school student expressed his gratitude in the school district’s video, saying, “She saved my life, so it’s a big thing.”

Dalton’s mom also conveyed her appreciation for the teacher.

“I can’t thank her enough. She took care of business and she didn’t think twice, and I don’t know what the outcome could have been; it could have been a tragic situation for our family,” the mother said. “I’m grateful that she was there. She took care of my son, and he was able to come home.”