Man chokes to death on steak in Stamford restaurant

Blackstones Steakhouse opened in 2018 on at 1 Broad St., in downtown Stamford, Conn. Blackstones Steakhouse opened in 2018 on at 1 Broad St., in downtown Stamford, Conn. Photo: Michael Cummo / Hearst Connecticut Media Buy photo Photo: Michael Cummo / Hearst Connecticut Media Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Man chokes to death on steak in Stamford restaurant 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

STAMFORD — A 32-year-old Long Island man has died after choking on a piece of steak at a downtown restaurant Thursday night, police said.

Downtown Capt. Diedrich Hohn said officers were dispatched to Blackstone’s Steakhouse shortly before 9 p.m. on the report of a man choking.

Officers Jonathan Gale, Eric Soderholm and Matt Romano started CPR on the man.

The officers continued giving the man CPR even after the fire department showed up at 8:55 p.m. and turned the man over to arriving medics a couple of minutes later, Hohn said.

Medics continued to work on the man for another 35 minutes in the restaurant and extracted a large slice of steak from the man’s throat, police said.

Police assisted with onlookers and identified witnesses to the incident.

“The Blackstone’s family extends their deepest sympathies to this family for their loss. This is a tragic accident and all of us are saddened by what happened. We are cooperating fully with the police investigation and will continue to do so,” the restaurant said in a statement.

Medics were able to recover a pulse and the man was rushed to Stamford Hospital. There, he went into cardiac arrest and was treated again, police said.

“After regaining a pulse it was unfortunately short lived and the emergency room staff did everything they could to save the victim however he did not make it,” the police report said.

Police detectives showed up to assist in finding the man’s next of kin.

The man’s identity has not yet been confirmed by police.

The Emergency Medical Services captain commended Gale and Soderholm for their efforts and said their actions being first on scene were flawless.

The three were recognized for showing their true professionalism and heroic actions under tremendous stress, according to the report.

Hohn said just this week the three officers attended a refresher course he was teaching on CPR, how to use a defibrillator and other trauma care.

“The medics said the three performed flawlessly and they kept the man alive until medics arrived. They should be congratulated,” Hohn said.

jnickerson@stamfordadvocate.com