Choking McDonalds Diner Saved by Beverly Officer

A Beverly police officer is being credited with helping save a patron choking at the McDonalds in North Beverly on Wednesday.

Police said someone called 911 just after 1 p.m. to report that a man was unresponsive in the restaurant, at 40 Enon St. Officer April Clarizia got there to find a man had a pulse but was not breathing and she went into action. She opened the mouth of the victim, who was not identified, and saw that food was lodged in his throat.

“A finger sweep technique was performed and removed some of the food,” police spokesman Officer Michael Boccuzzi said in a police statement about the incident.

A crew from Northeast Regional Ambulance Service arrived and removed the remaining food with a suction tool before the man was taken to Beverly Hospital.