A 13-year-old boy with autism is crediting the television show "SpongeBob SquarePants” for teaching him a technique that ultimately helped save a classmate’s life.
Brandon Williams said he learned how to perform the Heimlich maneuver while watching the show and sprung into action when he noticed a classmate, Jessica Pellegrino, choking on a piece of apple.
The incident occurred on Oct. 28 at Barnes Intermediate School in New York City.
As Williams wrapped his arms around Pellegrino's mid-section and gave her diaphragm a sharp thrust, she spit out the fruit and was able to breathe again, NBC New York reports.
Boy with autism saves classmate with Heimlich, says he learned it on "SpongeBob" https://t.co/1iPp1BBweKpic.twitter.com/3eGcClIWwX
— NBC New York (@NBCNewYork) November 6, 2015
When asked a few days later how he learned the life-saving technique, Williams responded, "Learned it on SpongeBob." In recognition of the teen’s heroism, the seventh-grade class reportedly had a celebratory party.
