Girl Reunites with Air Ambulance Crew Who Saved Her Life After Choking Scare
An eight-year-old girl, who was critically ill after choking as a toddler, has returned to the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance base at North Weald to express her gratitude to the crew who played a crucial role in saving her life. Charlotte Smith, who was nearly two years old when she began to choke on a piece of food at her nursery, was eager to meet the team on duty that day and learn more about the life-saving charity's operations.
Emergency Response and Critical Intervention
In July 2019, when Charlotte started choking, nursery staff quickly recognized the severity of the situation and dialed 999, initiating an immediate multi-agency emergency response. Due to her critical condition, specialist medical intervention was required at the scene to ensure her survival. Essex & Herts Air Ambulance clinician Dr Asher Lewinsohn and Critical Care Paramedic Jake Humphrey arrived to find Charlotte unresponsive.
Dr Asher described the tense moment: "There was no doubt in my mind that we only had less than a minute, probably just a few seconds, to try and save her life." With Charlotte's heart close to stopping, the team faced the extreme challenge of restoring her breathing, complicated by food obstructing her airway. They administered an anaesthetic and successfully inserted a breathing tube to provide her with sufficient oxygen.
Recovery and Heartfelt Reunion
Charlotte was then airlifted to Addenbrooke's Hospital, a specialist centre for children's care, where she spent two days in intensive care before making a full recovery. She had visited the airbase shortly after the incident, but now, old enough to understand the significance of the crew's actions, she persistently asked her family for a return visit. At the base, she explored the aircraft, met the crew, and asked numerous questions about their work.
Alice Kershberg, who leads the Patient & Family Liaison Team at Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, welcomed Charlotte and her family. She said: "It was incredibly special to welcome Charlotte and her family to North Weald. Hearing how far she's come and seeing her reconnect with the team who helped care for her that day was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do."
Family's Gratitude and Call for Support
Charlotte's family, who have been steadfast supporters of the charity since the incident, are urging people across Essex and Hertfordshire to contribute what they can to ensure the crew can assist others in similar emergencies. Her father, Richard Smith, expressed deep appreciation: "We feel a lifelong bond to everyone that looked after Charlotte and are grateful, not only to Asher, Jake, and the pilots who attended, but also to the volunteers and supporters that keep the Air Ambulance flying."
He added: "What happened to Charlotte really could have happened to anyone. I always knew we had a local air ambulance, but I had no real appreciation of the work they did. If it wasn't for the team landing that day, things would be very different for us. We're asking anyone who can to give a little something to support this vital local charity."
Dr Asher, now with Thames Valley Air Ambulance, was present at the reunion and shared his joy: "It is truly special to see how well Charlotte is doing years later and the wonderful person and character she is becoming. Seeing a success story like hers is always rewarding and reminds us how grateful and honoured we all are to have been part of her care and journey."
