A grateful father has praised two off-duty police officers who saved his son’s life when he started choking on a chicken nugget.

Dad John and four-year-old Dexter were enjoying a meal at a beachside restaurant in Barmouth when disaster struck.

Dexter started to choke on the chicken nugget and became lifeless and floppy as it obstructed his breathing. Luckily, two off-duty police officers passing by the restaurant spotted Dexter choking and came to his rescue.

Detention escort officer Vincent and emergency response officer Vincent took control and managed to dislodge the food from Dexter’s airway. John, who watched as the rescue took place, praised the officers for saving his little boy’s life.

He said: “I admit I didn’t know what to do.

“I didn’t know first aid - I was trying everything. But he was going blue and he was going limp. And then suddenly they were there.

“They were both so super calm and so professional about it all. It was just awful, watching what was happening to Dexter but being powerless to do anything.

“But we won the lottery with these two passing by. Even though they were off-duty they didn’t hesitate to help and if they’d not been there I believe Dexter would have died.”

DEO Vincent and PC Vincent have both worked for West Midlands Police for the past 10 years and receive first aid training every year as part of their ongoing police training.

DEO Vincent said: “His dad was quite understandably, in panic mode. He didn’t know what to do. So I stepped in and took hold of Dexter, and slapped him on the back a couple of times, but I realise now it was not hard enough.”

PC Vincent tried five times.

“Dexter was starting to lose consciousness and going limp in my arms,” said DEO Vincent.

“So I did six chest thrusts and finally the chicken nugget came out on the sixth one.

“The lad started to come back round quite quickly after that and my wife put him on her knee and comforted him.

“We’d learned what to do thanks to the training we’ve had, throughout my 13 years with WMP, and my wife’s 14 years of experience.

“Having said that, it’s the first time I’ve had to use my first aid skills for anything as serious as this.

“It just goes to show it really does work and we’re so pleased we were able to help.”

Dexter was checked over by paramedics and in a hospital and found to be absolutely fine thanks to the quick actions of the officers.

Grateful John has written to West Midlands Police to praise the professionalism and caring nature of the couple who saved his son’s life.

Superintendent Jack Hadley, from response at West Midlands Police, said: “When I heard what these two officers had done I was truly humbled and see both of them as absolute heroes. It is wonderful to know that their first aid skills kicked in and they were both able to remain calm, remember their training, and do what was needed to save this young boy’s life.”