LUTHER, Iowa — It was a normal Saturday for Ashley McEnany coming to work at Whatcha Smokin BBQ and Brew. And she was doing just that, serving some BBQ and brew, until the unexpected happened.

She noticed one of her customers started to choke and wasted no time going right into action performing the Heimlich Maneuver to save his life.

Now the community is calling her a hero.

“I looked up and he had stood up and kind of looked over and looked a little panicked. I’ve seen someone choking before, so I asked him if he was choking and he nodded yes,” McEnany said. “And I think I just stepped around and gave him the Heimlich and made sure that he could breathe. And we got him set up with some towels so he could get cleaned up. Jenny got him a new shirt so he could finish his meal.”

“We were all just showering love to Ashley because that’s a tremendous thing to do for somebody,” Whatcha Smokin owner Gwen Page said. “It’s kind of second nature to her. That goes for our whole team of where it’s just without hesitation, that we’re always going to do what we can to take care of our guests and go that extra mile. She went the extra mile. It’s incredible.”

“I didn’t even think. But you see someone who needs help, you just jump in,” McEnany said. “There’s no thought. If you know what you need to do to get to the end result that needs to happen, you just do it. That’s kind of how I was raised. Someone needs help. You help them.”

The customer who was saved wished to remain anonymous, but the staff said he expressed his gratitude to all those involved.

Now they’re hoping this situation can be a reminder to everyone to refresh on first aid training like the Heimlich and CPR.

They are just happy it was a happy ending there in Luther.

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