KCFD battalion chief who saved lives in Mendon train derailment rescues baseball fan

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A Kansas City firefighter and nurse attended a Washington Nationals game Wednesday night, having been in the nation’s capital to receive an award for his efforts nearly a year ago.

Todd Covington, a battalion chief with the Kansas City Fire Department, who had helped pull train passengers to safety when an Amtrak train derailed near Mendon, Missouri, once again found himself in a life-saving situation.

Covington told NBC Sports Washington reporter Grant Paulsen he was watching the game when he heard fans yelling that someone was choking.

He jumped over rows of seats and began giving the fan blows to their back before performing the Heimlich maneuver. The foreign object was dislodged about 20 seconds later, FOX5 DC reported.

“We overuse the term hero but the guy saved a person’s life. Legit hero,” Paulsen tweeted.

“We just chalk another one up for the good guys,” Covington told him with a laugh.

We overuse the term hero but the guy saved a persons life. Legit hero. His name is Todd Covington and he is from Kansas City. Everybody was screaming for help and he spring to action. Banging on the guys back and doing the Heimlich.

Just incredible.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) May 24, 2023

When @IAFFLocal42's Todd Covington's Amtrak train derailed last June, his fire fighter training kicked in & he risked his own life to save others. He was honored in Washington today for his heroism. Tonight at a @Nationals game, he rescued a choking patron. In his own words ⬇️: https://t.co/lwd4cU8FR3
— International Association of Fire Fighters (@IAFFofficial) May 25, 2023