Hero waiter saves British tourist’s life when he spots the man choking and races over to help him at Greek restaurant
- The man was dining with a female companion at a restaurant in Chania, Crete
- The British tourist appeared distressed as he choked on a chicken kebab
- Restaurant manager Vasilis Patelakis has been praised for his heroic actions
The manager of a Greek tavern in a coastal city in Crete has saved the life of a British tourist who began choking on a piece of chicken kebab while dining with his wife.
CCTV footage of the dramatic rescue has been widely shared after Vasilis Patelakis posted it on Facebook to ‘educate the public’ about the life-saving maneuver.
The video captured by a security camera at the Amphoras restaurant at the picturesque port city of Chania, has gone viral, with the manager praised by locals, tourists and media for his heroic intervention.
The unidentified British tourist is seen pacing up and down the tavern as other guests look on in concern
‘I’ve served thousands of customers,’ said Vassilis Patelakis. ‘But this was the first time I had to deal with such an incident. It was intense.’
It’s unclear who the British tourist is, but in the video, he can be seen choking while sitting at one of the restaurant tables.
He is seen jumping up from his chair, pacing up and down the tavern as his female companion tries to help him.
The man’s female companion tries to help him as he choked on a piece of chicken
The other customers, which included a number of tourists, can be seen watching on nervously, but no-one makes the move to assist him.
Patelakis, a former special forces officer, realised what was happening and rushed to the diner’s aid to perform the Heimlich manoeuvre.
‘He had choked on a piece of chicken kebab.’
Thrusting the customer three times, Patelakis helped dislodge the morsel of food that was blocking the man’s airway.
Patelakis saw the unnamed British tourist realised what was happening and rushed to the diner’s aid to perform the Heimlich manoeuvre
‘Clearly a memorable experience,’ Patelakis told the Daily Mail.
‘The couple had come and dined here before, during their holiday stay. This, however, was supposed to be their last meal before returning back home.
‘Fortunately it was not his final.’
Patelakis said the Briton was ‘immensely grateful and promised to return to Chania in the future.’
He refused to say whether the tourist left him a tip.
‘All I am concerned, is that he is safe and alive.’
CCTV footage of the dramatic rescue has been widely shared after Vasilis Patelakis posted it on his Facebook page to ‘educate the public’ about the lifesaving manoeuvre