Raquel Radford Baker, a school bus driver with 17 years of experience in Dallas, recently added “hero” to her resume. In a recorded incident on September 29, first-grader Preston alerted Baker after swallowing a quarter and choking. Initially, Baker thought Preston was nauseous, but upon realizing the issue, she sprang into action, performing the Heimlich maneuver.
“I was just trying to tell her that I just choked on a quarter, and it hurts very bad,” Preston said. Baker rushed him off the bus and, at the school’s front, began the Heimlich maneuver, learned in training. Tearfully, she recounted, “Baby, breathe. Baby, breathe. I got you. Breathe.” Her quick response saved Preston’s life, emphasizing her role as a hero beyond her routine school bus duties.
