By Greg Scharen
MIDDLETOWN – During Monday’s township committee meeting, Chelsea Maguire was recognized by Freeholder Susan M. Kiley for an act of heroism.
In April, Maguire performed the Heimlich maneuver on Allie Rech, saving the woman’s life. Rech, who is Kiley’s niece, has special needs, and Maguire is her aide.
During dinner at Saladworks in Holmdel in April, Rech began choking on a piece of chicken and became panicked.
Maguire remained calm and performed the Heimlich three times to free her breathing. She asked a patron to call 911.
“Allie was quite distraught and still gasping and Chelsea had the presence of mind to call and let me know what was happening,” said Allie’s grateful mother Carol Rech in a letter to local leaders. “She spoke with the EMTs and stayed by Allie’s side to calm her.”
Kiley told Maguire, “Since you became a hero on April 24, 2019, we named that day all over the county Chelsea Maguire Day.”
“There’s no question it truly defines what leadership is, what heroism is,” Middletown Mayor Tony S. Perry said of Maguire’s life-saving efforts. “And that’s jumping in when you’re needed the most.”
Maguire is the daughter of John Maguire, who serves as supervisor of security for Middletown Public Schools. She is also a barista and contributor to The Two River Times.
