FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, June 22, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 978-769-5193
Email: john@jgpr.net

Rochester Fire Department Honors Teacher for Saving Choking Student

ROCHESTER — Chief Mark Klose is pleased to announce that the Rochester Fire Department honored a Seacoast Learning Collaborative teacher who helped rescue a choking student last month.

On Friday, May 25, SLC teacher John Les administered the Heimlich Maneuver to 11th grade student Joshua Tuttle, who had indicated that he was choking. Les acted quickly and, after recognizing that Tuttle couldn’t talk, began the Heimlich Manuever and successfully removed the gum that had gotten stuck in Tuttle’s throat.

The Rochester Fire Department subsequently recognized Les for his act of heroism at SLC’s graduation ceremony on Friday, June 8.

“Mr. Les’s actions show how important it is to react quickly when someone is in need,” Chief Klose said. “I was proud to congratulate him for his heroic actions that day, which helped avoid a possible tragedy.”

Les has worked for 20 years with SLC in Gonic, which is a specialized education center for students with a variety of disabilities and special needs.

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