Choking scare Mum bids to raise awareness of risks

WHAT was supposed to be an enjoyable Mother's Day lunch turned into every family's nightmare when a Bristol girl started choking on her food.

- Ian LEWIS

Charlotte Clark and her 11-year-old daughter, Harper

Thankfully Charlotte Clark sprang to the aid of her 11-year-old daughter, Harper, and saved her life using an innovative anti-choking device, called LifeVac.

Charlotte and Harper sat down for the celebratory meal on Sunday, March 15, at home in the Hengrove area of the city, when Harper, who lives with autism, began choking on a roast potato.

Despite immediate panic, Charlotte had a LifeVac device in the home, which sucks obstructions from airways, using a mask placed over the face. She had bought the kit two years ago, just as a precaution, but didn’t think she would ever need to use it.

Charlotte, 49, said: "I don’t often make a roast dinner, but did for Mother's Day and, as we began eating, Harper started choking on a roast potato. I rushed into the kitchen where I have had the Life-Vac for the last two years.