Kings parades spread joy around Spain
Choking child saved by hero off-duty local police officer
WHILE most Costa Kings’ parades went off without a hitch, the one in Benidorm saw an off-duty police officer become a hero when he saved a choking child.
The two-year-old had swallowed one of the tens of thousands of sweets handed out during the procession, but it became stuck in his throat.
Local police spokesman Quique Tortosa told state news agency EFE that the incident had occurred at around 19.30 in Calle Ruzafa.
Off-duty officer Luisma Roselló noticed the commotion in the street.
When he arrived he found that the child’s face had turned blue due to the lack of oxygen and his father ‘was trying to use his fingers to get the sweet out of his mouth, which goes against the advised procedure’.
The officer told the family his profession and took over in the emergency.
Following his training, he applied the Heimlich manoeuvre – joining his hands
around the child’s tummy to form a fist, then pulling his hands sharply inwards and upwards.
It is not normally recommended for young children but the emergency intervention
was successful and the boy regurgitated the sweet.
The youngster was then taken to a health centre to be checked over by a doctor.
The local police reported that the family were on holiday in Benidorm for the festive period.
Parade pleasure
The Benidorm parade set off at 18.00 from the Dove park, and comprised of more than 800 people and 11 floats.
It made its way through the streets to a packed Julio Iglesias auditorium, full of excited children and their parents.
Mayor Toni Pérez said the ‘most wonderful of stars’ had brought the Kings there, before the evening concluded with fireworks.
Calpe camels
While in some coastal towns such as Torrevieja, the Kings arrived for their parades by boat, the wise men came to Villajoyosa on camels, touring the streets of the centre with an entourage of around 300 people, handing out sweets and chocolates to children along the route.
The parade ended at finca La Barbera where they were greeted by the Villjoyosa choir performing Adeste Fideles, whilst they left their gifts by the manger installed on the façade of the museum.
They then greeted and waved to the crowds whilst a fireworks display lit up the night sky.