Off-duty Polish soldier saves choking boy in midair emergency

A Polish female soldier has been praised for her swift and decisive action after saving the life of a 10-year-old boy who stopped breathing during a commercial flight.

The incident unfolded aboard a SkyUp Airlines service when the child suddenly began choking before collapsing in front of his parents. What had begun as a routine journey quickly turned into a scene of panic as passengers and crew realised the seriousness of the situation.

Among those on board was a soldier from Poland’s Military Gendarmerie, identified only as Klaudia. Hearing the commotion, she immediately intervened.

According to a spokesperson for her unit, the situation was critical. “It was supposed to be a carefree time and a well-deserved break abroad. However, before that could happen, an event occurred that chilled the blood of passengers and flight crew. Fortunately, not everyone,” the spokeswoman said.

Klaudia promptly removed the obstruction from the boy’s airway and began cardiopulmonary resuscitation. After approximately five minutes of emergency intervention, the child regained vital functions.

Poland’s Military Police leadership moved quickly to commend her actions. Colonel Tomasz Kazjer, Commander-in-Chief of the Military Police, congratulated the soldier — a member of the force’s Second Directorate — for what he described as a “daring life-saving operation” and awarded her a financial bonus in recognition of her professionalism under pressure.

The airline also issued a formal message of thanks.

“Dear Klaudia, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for providing first aid to the child during our flight,” a representative of SkyUp Airlines said. “Your attentiveness, composure and willingness to help transformed a difficult situation into one filled with care and a sense of security.”

The carrier added that her swift response ensured the boy received urgent assistance and spared his parents from facing the ordeal alone. “Thank you for reminding us how important humanity is,” the statement read. “It’s particularly inspiring that you are on your way to a medical profession — already demonstrating the values, responsibility and compassion that save lives.”

The boy’s current condition has not been publicly disclosed, but officials confirmed that he survived thanks to the soldier’s intervention — a dramatic midair rescue that fellow passengers are unlikely to forget.