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Newspaper Clipping - Newspaper Clipping Scan - Eleven year old brother saves choking sister earns award - 9/19/2003 (2) AGAN: Boy, 11,is first child to earn safety award Page 1 of Twin itieso om Posted on Fri, Sep. 19, 2003 EAGAN: Bay, 11, is first child to earn safety award BY AYANNA McPHAIL Pioneer Press One recent summer afternoon, Philip Rother, 11, and his sister, Kelsey, 9, were hanging around their Eagan home with their grandmother, Esther Thue. Kelsey was in the hall outside the kitchen, and Philip was leaving the bathroom when he heard his sister say "help" and make gagging noises. He ran over to Kelsey, who was choking on a Popsicle, and began doing his best version of the Heimlich Maneuver, which he recently had seen a character try in the movie "Mrs. Doubtfire."After a few tries, Kelsey spit out the frozen green chunk lodged in her throat and began breathing normally. The boy's quick thinking that August day earned him the city's Youth Public Safety Award and a congratulatory visit Thursday from Eagan police. "He did a good deed for his sister; he should feel good about what he's done," said Eagan Police Capt. Jim McDonald, who heard about Philip's action from a neighbor of the Rothers. Adults have received similar awards from the city, but this is the first time a young person was honored for thinking fast and using first aid to help someone. Philip said he knew to squeeze his sister's stomach "right in the middle," because that's what he remembered seeing Mrs. Doubtfire do when another character in the movie was choking in a restaurant. Philip had recently seen the film for a second time at a friend's house. Thue,the kids' grandmother, said she was impressed when she came into the hallway and saw Philip calmly responding to hit sister's distress. "I'm proud of him," she said. The kids' mother, Diane Rother, said she's grateful her son was paying attention during that movie. "Thank you, Robin Williams," she said, referring to the actor who plays the character Mrs. Doubtfire. "I'm happy that he was able to think and. show responsibility," she said of her son. Kelsey said that her throat hurt right after the incident, but that she is fine now. She is proud of her brother and told a neighbor that Philip saved her life, Diane Rother said. Kelsey still eats popsicles, Philip says, but now she takes smaller bites. As for Philip, he's taken an important lesson away from this experience: "Try as best as you can to try and get someone to stop choking." To reach the author of this article, click Contact lis at the top of this page and go to Pioneer Press Contacts. ©2003 Pioneer Press and wire service sources.All Rights Reserved. http://www.twincities.com ttp://wvvw.tw incities.com/mld/twincities/news/local/6806374.htm?template=contentModules/Printstory_j sp 9/19/200