‘Brave’ Maja saves choking stranger’s life while on school trip

The quick thinking and heroine actions of a County Derry student while on a school trip, saved the life of a complete stranger.

16 year-old Maja Golebiewska had enjoyed a school trip to Krakow in Poland last month with pals from her school, Sperrin Integrated College, Magherafelt.

However it was while waiting to board their flight back home at St John- Paul Airport on Friday, February 10, Maja observed a man choking in a nearby restaurant and sprang into action.

Maja, a year 13 student, ran to the man’s aid and performed three abdominal thrusts which ultimately saved his life.

Recalling the incident, Maja, a native of Poland who lives in Magherafelt, said that it was ‘horrific’ watching the man struggle.

She said: “I was spending my last day in Poland at the airport with other pupils and staff from the school. As my friends and I walked around the airport shops, we were passing by a restaurant when we heard a loud wheezing sound of someone struggling to breathe. Immediately the restaurant staff called the security as one of their customers was choking whilst experiencing a panic attack.”

She continued: “It was horrific having to watch the man struggle and no one knew how to help. I couldn’t wait any longer for the airport staff to arrive. I ran up to the waitress who was trying to assist the man and I informed her that I was trained in first-aid and CPR as I took a Heart-Start course at school, she asked me to proceed and attempt to save the man. I began to put my arms around his waist and demonstrated three abdominal thrusts, hoping that this would work.  Thankfully it did,” she said.

Last night Principal of Sperrin College, Mrs Heron commended Maja for her bravery.

She said: “It is a very inspiring story. Maja, along with a number of our students had completed CPR training with Heart-Start but she is very brave to take the decision to put her training into practice during an emergency situation. However I believe it was her presence of mind and her calmness that encouraged to do it. She is very unassuming.

“Maja is such a humble girl. After saving this man’s life, she just returned back to her friends as if nothing had happened. Afterwards the restaurant offered her a drink but she refused.  If one of our teachers had not been present and watched it happen, I don’t think Maja would have said anything,” said the principal.

Mrs Heron added: “Maja is an excellent student, a really fantastic girl, she has all the attributes of a fabulous pupil and we are all so proud of her.”