One man’s quick thinking, and a common kitchen tool, saved a baby girl’s life.
Bill Hogenson, of Ludington, Michigan, was working on his truck with his son two weeks ago when he overheard a conversation coming from the house next door that caused him to spring into action and made him a hero.
Hogenson told FOX News, “We heard one of the babysitters talking on the phone to 911 saying that the baby is purple and not breathing.” Hogenson explained that at first he was in “disbelief,” but upon realizing what was going on he sprinted into the house to see what was he could do to help. He found the baby, 5-month-old Nessa Shoup, on the lap of another babysitter. The infant was purple and wasn’t breathing.
Hogenson immediately started performing CPR, but he explains that she was still “struggling to breathe.” It was at that point that Hogensen said he knew he had to do something more. “I went into the drawer and found a turkey baster and used the turkey baster to clear her nasal passage and her airway.”
After clearing her airway with the turkey baster, Hogensen patted the infant on her back and then turned her over and saw what he describes as a “good sign.” Hogensen said, “She smiled at me and I knew we were going to be in the good.”
Nessa’s parents believe that it was “fate” that Hogenson was working outside their house that day, and say he’s a hero. Hogenson, however, insists it was just his parental instincts kicking in. He said, “Ever since then, when I see her she gives me a smile. It kind of gives us a bond for life.”
Video: FOX News