my corrections request to the cincinnati enquirer -- includes now-disappeared version of 5/27/16...
DESCRIPTION
.TRANSCRIPT
May 28, 2016
SUMMARY: On the evening of May 26, 2016, the Cincinnati Enquirer published At 96, Dr. Heimlich finally uses his life-saving technique by staff reporter Kevin Grasha. The headline and the body of the story included a significant factual error, so the next afternoon I submitted a corrections request to the paper.
That evening, a considerably re-written version of the article was posted at the same link with a new headline andinformation that I’d provided in my corrections request. Here’s a copy of the original article: http://tinyurl.com/gmqoymk (For clarity, I’ve substituted that link in my corrections request below.)
Here’s the current version of the article, retitled At 96, Heimlich performs his own maneuver and co-bylined by Mr. Grasha and reporter Bowdeya Tweh: http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2016/05/26/henry-heimlich-finally-uses-famed-maneuver/85003350/
Here's how the re-written article characterized my corrections request:
Cincinnati.com initially published a story late Thursday about the incident, quoting Heimlich as saying this was the first time he'd ever performed his own maneuver on someone. But then one of his sons, Peter Heimlich, reached out to media organizations pointing out the existence of articles roughly 15 yearsago.
The original version of the Enquirer story was picked-up by Cincinnati Associated Press reporter Lisa Cornwell and was widely circulated via AP outlets and other media outlets, so I looped-in Ms. Cornwell and Evan Berland, AP’s Global News Manager. After the Enquirer re-wrote the article, I followed-up with them. Mr. Berland informed me that the original article had been updated and sent me copies of both versions. (I’ll update this file with that information in the next week.)
Re: Yes, There Really is a Dr. Heimlich And He's Pushing More Uses for his Famous Maneuver by Jim Ritter, Chicago Sun-Times, October 7, 2001, which I referenced in my corrections request, click here for a copy.
Peter M. Heimlich Atlantaph: (208)474-7283website: http://medfraud.infoblog: http://the-sidebar.come-mail: [email protected]
Subject: corrections request and two quick questionsFrom: "Peter M. Heimlich" <[email protected]>Date: 5/27/2016 3:25 PMTo: Kevin Grasha <[email protected]>CC: Michael Kilian <[email protected]>, Lisa Cornwell <[email protected]>, Evan Berland <[email protected]>
Kevin,
I'm following up on our correspondence from this morning re: [your article about the choking incident] http://tinyurl.com/gmqoymk
I just got home from running errands and found an e-mail from a blogger friend advising that your story hit the AP, so in addition to Michael Kilian, I'm copy Lisa Cornwell and Evan Berland with whom I've corresponded in the past. At the moment your story's also on the front page of Google News.
It looks like you've been punk'd, but it's unclear how badly. As you may know, for decades my father has provided all sorts of false information to reporters at the Enquirer and plenty of other media outlets. Former Enquirer Robert Anglen busted him on one such fabrication in this March 16, 2003 Sunday front-pager: http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2003/03/16/loc_heimlich16.html I can provide you with numerous other examples on request.
In any event, I'm requesting a prompt published correction re: the headline, At 96, Dr. Heimlich finally uses his life-saving technique, and the information that this was the first time my father ever revived a choking victim using "the Heimlich." Presumably the AP will follow suit.
Via Private Clubs Newsletter, June/August 2001 by reporter Louis Marroquin (via The Wayback Machine): http://tinyurl.com/hdzwajm
TO THE RESCUEThe story sounds like it could be an urban legend, but it actually happened in the dining room of theBankers Club in Cincinnati. During a busy lunchtime, a guest of the club began choking as he sat eating at a table. A member sitting at another table promptly rushed to the aid of the victim, wrapped his arms around the man’s waist, and pressed his fist upward into his abdomen, expelling the trapped object from the clogged airway. The quick-thinking member was none other than Dr. Henry Heimlich, who surprisingly had never before performed his namesake Heimlich maneuver in an emergency situation. But the good doctor says performing the maneuver in this scenario was “as easy as that. I’ve practiced enough, I guess, in my life"...At 81 years old, Dr. Heimlich stays active playing tennis, works daily at the Heimlich Institute, and speaks at medical meetings to promote ongoing research being done at the Institute. And if the lunchtime menu includes saving a life, he will always make room for that too. — Louis Marroquin
Via Heimlich: Still saving lives at 83 by Jane Elliott, BBC News, March 9, 2003: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/2825971.stm
But despite being the inventor of one of the most significant medical techniques, Dr Heimlich told BBC News Online that he has only been called upon once to carry it out himself - and that was just three years ago.
"I was in this club restaurant eating when I heard someone calling Dr Heimlich. I turned around and saw a man choking so I did the Heimlich Manoeuvre and got it out and then went on and had my lunch."
(Incidentally, about an hour ago I received an e-mail from a fellow who found the BBC story and asked me about the discrepancy.)
Via Yes, There Really is a Dr. Heimlich And He's Pushing More Uses for his Famous Maneuver by Jim Ritter, Chicago Sun-Times, October 7, 2001 (attached):
Twenty-six years after inventing the Heimlich maneuver, Dr. Henry Heimlich finally had an opportunity to try it himself.
Heimlich was having lunch last year when he was urgently called to the side of a man choking on hisfood. Heimlich wrapped his arms around the man and made a fist against his upper abdomen. He thrust upward and out popped the food. Another life saved.
"I just did it and went back to eating," Heimlich said.
Heimlich said anyone could have done it.
Via Choke Artist by Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, May 8, 2006: http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2006/05/08/choke-artist
Dr. Heimlich himself said the other day that he has performed the move only once, in Cincinnati.
The New Yorker interview was only a decade ago and although my father's getting up there in years, knowing his keen memory, I'd be surprised if he would have completely forgotten the incident.
Also, this morning you wrote me that my brother Phil Heimlich told you that this was the first time my father ever revived a choking victim using "the Heimlich." As you may know, as longtime vice president of the Heimlich Institute, my brother has a close professional as well as personal relationship with my father and has always livedin Cincinnati. Frankly, it doesn't make sense that Phil would be unaware of my father's choking rescue at the Banker's Club.
Coincidentally, according to this website, this Wednesday June 1 is "National Heimlich Maneuver Day": http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/days-2/national-heimlich-maneuver-day-june-1/ Did my father, Phil, or anyone else mention that to you?
Finally, to learn more about the Deupree House incident, I'd urge you to interview other eyewitnesses. If you do, I'd be interested in knowing the results. Would you please let me know if you plan to follow up on that? If you don't, I'd like to pursue the story for my blog and pitch the story to another news outlet.
In any event, thanks for your consideration and I'd welcome some indication of how soon I can expect a reply.
Cheers, Peter
Peter M. HeimlichAtlantaph: (208)474-7283website: http://medfraud.infoblog: http://the-sidebar.come-mail: [email protected]
Subject: Re: corrections request and two quick questionsFrom: "Peter M. Heimlich" <[email protected]>Date: 5/27/2016 4:31 PMTo: Kevin Grasha <[email protected]>CC: Michael Kilian <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, Christine Hauser
Hello again Kevin,
Did you see Christine Hauser's New York Times pickup of your story? http://tinyurl.com/gt5ofbv
Of possible interest:
Is this the first time Dr. Heimlich has ever used the maneuver to save a life?
“Yes, this is,” he said Friday. “I originally did my research studies that led to my developing it, whichwas in 1974, and I never considered that I would be doing it myself.”
The record is murky in that regard. The BBC article quoted the doctor — then 83 — describing a similar encounter where he tried the maneuver on a fellow diner, although the story lacked details such as a precise date, location and name. The doctor was giving other interviews and was not immediately available for a follow-up question, but his son, Phil, said his father had never mentioned the earlier incident.
I just got off the phone with Christine and am copying her on this. It would be great if either or both of you try to obtain more facts about the Deupree House incident. Might be a lively tie-in to next week's "National Heimlich Maneuver Day" festivities.
Cheers and thanks for your continued attention – Peter
Peter M. HeimlichAtlantaph: (208)474-7283website: http://medfraud.infoblog: http://the-sidebar.come-mail: [email protected]
Subject: RE: corrections request and two quick questionsFrom: Michael Kilian <[email protected]>Date: 5/27/2016 4:36 PMTo: Peter M. Heimlich <[email protected]>CC: Kevin Grasha <[email protected]>
Dear Sir
We will be updating our story before long. Thank you for sharing this information with us.
Mr. Grasha is out of the office for several days. Please refrain from emailing him over the holiday weekend.
Sincerely,
Michael Kilian
Subject: Re: corrections request and two quick questionsFrom: "Peter M. Heimlich" <[email protected]>Date: 5/27/2016 4:43 PMTo: Michael Kilian <[email protected]>CC: Lisa Cornwell <[email protected]>, Evan Berland <[email protected]>, Christine Hauser
Good afternoon Michael,
Thanks for your e-mail and I'd welcome a heads-up when the story's updated.
Since Kevin's out of the office, if I have any related information/questions, I'll check in with you.
Cheers, Peter
Peter M. Heimlich
Atlantaph: (208)474-7283website: http://medfraud.infoblog: http://the-sidebar.come-mail: [email protected]