𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗕𝗼𝘆 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗛𝗲𝗶𝗺𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘂𝘃𝗲𝗿

Raleigh, North Carolina—A nine-year-old boy is being celebrated as a hero after his quick thinking and bravery saved his classmate from choking during a recess basketball game. The incident, which occurred at Raleigh Oak Charter School, has captured the hearts of the local community and beyond.

Jayceon Branch, a fourth-grader, was playing basketball with his friend, seven-year-old Donye Moore, when the younger boy began choking on a granola bar. Surveillance footage from the school shows Donye gasping for air and bending over in distress. Without hesitation, Jayceon sprang into action, performing the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge the food and restore his friend's ability to breathe.

“I didn’t know he was actually choking at first,” Jayceon explained. “But when I realized, I just did my thing, which was the Heimlich.” Remarkably, Jayceon had learned the life-saving technique from watching YouTube videos, inspired by a teacher who had once used the maneuver to help another student. His swift response not only saved Donye’s life but also highlighted the importance of teaching basic first aid skills to children.

The school community has rallied around Jayceon, with teachers, parents, and students praising his heroic actions. Eric Johnson, the executive director of Raleigh Oak Charter School, expressed immense pride in Jayceon’s bravery. “We teach our kids to take care of each other, and this is a prime example of that,” Johnson said. “Jayceon just jumped into action so quickly. We’re really proud of him.”

The boys’ families were equally moved by the incident. Donye’s mother, Aja Moore, shared her gratitude, saying, “At first, I didn’t understand the severity of what happened. But seeing the video and knowing Jayceon saved my son—it’s overwhelming. I’m just so thankful.”

To honor Jayceon’s heroism, the school held a special celebration, where students and staff cheered for both boys as they walked through the halls. Jayceon, ever humble, insisted that Donye be included in the recognition, further endearing him to the community.

This heartwarming story serves as a reminder of the power of preparedness and the impact of small acts of courage. Local organizations have since announced plans to offer free first aid workshops for students and families, inspired by Jayceon’s life-saving actions.