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Bus driver helps choking co-worker
Springfield City Schools honors Bernard Le Noir , who came to the rescue of Kimi Jo Skabla.
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By Samantha Sommer,
Staff Writer
10:57 PM Thursday, June 10, 2010
SPRINGFIELD — All that Kimi Jo Skabla could think was, “Please hurry.”
And Bernard Le Noir answered her call.
Skabla, a Springfield City Schools bus driver, was on her way to pick up students at Lagonda Elementary School at about 3 p.m. May 21 when she pulled up to a stop light and took a sip of water.
She choked on it and then vomited, choking her further and blocking her breathing.
Skabla pulled over and called for emergency help on her radio.
“It was the scariest thing ever,” said Skabla, tearing up.
Paramedics were called. But Le Noir, also a bus driver, was only a few blocks away, picking up students at Warder Park/Wayne Elementary School.
“He said he could be there in two minutes, but it felt like forever,” Skabla said.
When he arrived, Skabla was in pretty bad shape, Le Noir said. He performed the Heimlich maneuver twice, finally clearing her throat and allowing her to breathe. The paramedics then arrived and treated her.
His mother had been a nurse and he received training on the Heimlich about five years ago, although he had never had to use it before.
“It was just total instinct ... The training just kicked in and it worked,” Le Noir said.
The school board members honored Le Noir at their meeting Thursday, June 10, for his actions.
Le Noir and Skabla shared a hug at the meeting and school board members teared up.
“Thank you on behalf of the entire district,” Board President Donna Picklesimer said.
Skabla also thanked him, saying he’s a great friend.
“I love this man,” she said. “He would do it for anybody.”
The recognition shocked Le Noir, who had no idea the district was going to honor him.
“I just thank God that I was able to do that,” he said. “I’m glad that I was there for her.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0363 or ssommer@coxohio.com.
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