(PHOTO CAPTION: Left to right, Town Administrator John Kleinhans, Doug Haiko, Public Works Director Dwight Ryniewicz and Lead Foreman Jeff Schambach.)
Doug Haiko, a refuse truck driver for the Town of Vernon, was in the right place at the right time Thursday morning.
As he drove his truck near Snipsic and East Main streets, he spotted a car off to the side of the road and a mom in distress.
“The lady was shaking her child,” Haiko said. “Something wasn’t right.”
He pulled his truck up next to the woman and asked if everything was OK.
“No,” the woman responded. “He’s choking.”
Haiko jumped from his truck, took the 18-month-old boy into his arms and began performing back blows to dislodge what was blocking the boy’s airway. Haiko was trained years ago as a medical response technician and some of that training came rushing back.
“I put him on his belly and hit his back,” Haiko said. “That helps my daughter.”
The first few back blows did not seem to work and the child appeared to be turning blue. Haiko got back into his truck to call for help on his radio, all the while continuing to strike the boy’s back.
“As I was trying to get a hold of somebody I just kept doing it,” Haiko said. “And finally, I got a breath out of him. It seemed like it was alright after that.”
As he and the boy’s mom waited for help to arrive, Haiko noticed the boy was cold and wrapped his coat around him.
Police, fellow public works employees and an ambulance responded quickly to Haiko’s call for help. EMTs checked the boy and reported that Haiko did a great job.
The boy’s mom was grateful.
“It was incredible of him to do that,” she said. “It was very, very wonderful. He went above and beyond for us. We are just really grateful for him.”
Haiko said he was glad he was there to help.
When it appeared everything was under control, Haiko climbed back into his truck and continued on his route.
Town Administrator John W. Kleinhans visited the public works department Thursday afternoon to thank Haiko and recognize him for saving the boy. Public Works Director Dwight Ryniewicz, Lead Foreman Jeff Schambach and Fleet Supervisor Eric Jensen joined Kleinhans in thanking and praising Haiko.
“We’re proud of you,” Kleinhans said.
“You saved a life today,” Rynewicz said. “You should be proud.”
"You were there at that moment in time for a reason," Schambach told Haiko.