NORTHAMPTON — At a moment’s notice, a local restaurateur came to a choking man’s rescue, saving his life with the Heimlich maneuver.

On Thursday, June 4, Northampton Fire Rescue was dispatched to a reported choking emergency downtown. Prior to the department’s arrival, Homestead restaurant owner Jeremy Werther, who had stepped out of the kitchen of his Strong Street eatery to check in with front-of-the-house staff, saw the emergency unfold and stepped in to help.

Werther said he turned to his left and, looking toward the outdoor seating area near Local Burger, saw a woman attempting to give a choking man abdominal compressions.

“Instincts took over. I just ran over. She was pretty much out of breath at that point and had released the individual,” Werther said. “I stepped right in, gave two thrusts, and whatever was in that throat came right out. It was just a natural reaction — right place, right time. You’ve got to help the people around you.”

When crews arrived, the man was alert, breathing without difficulty and ultimately declined further treatment, the Northampton Fire Department shared in a Facebook post.

Werther, who has spent most of his career working in commercial kitchens, said the incident was not the first time he has had to perform the life-saving maneuver.

“Unfortunately, working in restaurants, you see a lot and end up around a lot [of those situations],” he said. “I don’t want to see anyone get hurt; that’s really what it comes down to. If I can help, I’m going to.”

The incident occurred only weeks after Smith Academy sophomore Eli Bai performed the Heimlich maneuver on his friend, who was choking on a hot dog during a class trip. Smith Academy Principal Conor Driscoll presented Bai with a plaque recognizing the student’s life-saving act at a school assembly, while a certificate with similar recognition came from the Hatfield Fire Department and Fire Chief Robert Flaherty.

Although Northampton Fire Chief Andrew Pelis could not be reached immediately for comment, the department commended Werther for his fast actions via social media and encouraged the general public to pursue CPR and first aid training.

“Emergencies can happen anywhere and often without warning. In this case, Jeremy’s willingness to act and his knowledge of a lifesaving skill helped prevent what could have been a tragic outcome,” the Fire Department stated. “Northampton Fire Rescue would like to recognize and thank Jeremy Werther for his quick thinking and decisive actions. His response serves as a great reminder of the importance of CPR and first aid training and the impact an ordinary person can have during an emergency.”