A 4-year-old girl has died after choking on food at a Costco store.
The incident happened at a Costco in Kennewick, Washington, on July 9, according to local NBC station KNDU.
The girl was believed to be eating a hot dog at the time, the Benton County Coroner told KNDU.
As the girl was choking, bystanders in the store attempted to use CPR and an AED to help the girl, officials said.
The choking incident was “heavily witnessed,” by shoppers and employees, according to reports.
Arriving EMS staff reportedly removed some food from the girl’s mouth before transporting her to a local hospital.
She later died at the hospital from asphyxia due to choking, KNDU reports.
According to officials, no autopsy was conducted on the girl because the choking was witnessed and emergency staff were on the scene.
The Costco store was closed early for business that day, but reopened the next day. No further details were released on the case.
The Benton County Coroner said the girl was only a few days away from her fifth birthday when the incident occurred.
