June 28, 2000

A little boy in American Fork was playing with a friend when he went into what's known as anaflactic Shock.

The youngster had an allergic reaction and was choking. But, the little girl beside him knew just what to do to save her friend's life, even though she is only four- years old. Ed Yeates has the remarkable story.

Two four-year-old kids are back playing together at their homes, thanks to the quick action of this little girl - Hannah Liddell.

She was playing with G.K. Huff when something unexpected happened.

HANNAH LIDDELL: "I DIDN'T WANT TO LET SOMETHING HAPPEN TO MY BEST FRIEND, G.K."

G.K. started choking from an allergic reaction. His face and eyes were swelling. It came on without warning. Even though Hannah is only four years old, she reacted instantly.

SHANNON HUFF, G.K.'S MOTHER: "I WAS SO SURPRISED THAT SOMEONE HER AGE COULD LET ME KNOW THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG SO FAST. WE ONLY HAD A MATTER OF MINUTES AND SHE RESPONDED FAST."

Hannah had been taught not to walk into a neighbor's house without permission. But Hannah ran and went directly to G.K.'s mom.

No permission, no mixed words, no panic, just an instant verbal and visual description of what was happening to her best friend outside.

"HE WAS BREATHING LIKE THAT...HUU..HUU..HUU."

JOANNA LIDDELL, HANNAH'S MOTHER: "INSTEAD OF IGNORING HIM, SHE DECIDED NOT TO SIT AND WATCH IT ALL TAKE PLACE. SHE DECIDED 'I NEED TO GET IN THERE AND LET SOMEBODY KNOW BECAUSE IT'S BIGGER THAN I CAN HANDLE.'"

G.K.'s mother didn't iognore Hannah and rushed her son to the hospital.

Ed Yeates, Science Specialist: "AMERICAN FORK HOSPITAL IS ONLY ABOUT A MILE AWAY. BUT EVEN THEN DOCTORS SAID TIME WAS CRITICAL. IN FACT, HAD G.K. ARRIVED FOUR OR FIVE MINUTES LATER, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A TRAGIC STORY."

Hannah doesn't consider herself a hero. But all the adults here disagree.

Though she pulled off something you don't expect from a four-year-old, Hannah says something inside her was telling her what to do.

It turns out, G.K. reacted violently to a strawberry-kiwi drink he had earlier. It was a food allergy his parents didn't know he has.