A police officer was in the middle of arresting a prisoner when the unexpected happened — the officer suddenly started choking and collapsed.

The prisoner, who was handcuffed, begged to have his hands freed so he could help. Officers at the scene hesitated, worried he might try to make a run for it, but eventually unclipped the cuffs.

Instead of bolting, the man immediately rushed to the officer’s side and performed the Heimlich manoeuvre, dislodging the object stuck in the cop’s throat and saving his life.

Witnesses say the prisoner could have easily fled in that moment, but chose compassion over escape.

The story has since gone viral online, with people calling the act “the ultimate proof that humanity still exists even in the darkest places.”