Teen chokes to death

The life of a promising 16- year-old Spartanburg High School Student, who's being remembered for his athleticism and his faith, was cut short Sunday evening when he choked to death on food.

Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler ruled Jeremy Antonio Sailem died as a result of asphyxiation when a piece of hot dog lodged in his throat during a church youth group pool party at a Pacolet Highway residence in Gaffney on Sunday at about 5:45 p.m.

Firefighters from the Goucher-White Plains Volunteer Fire Department tried to save his life by performing CPR and using an automated external defibrillation device before paramedics arrived, fire chief Jimmy Lamb said. Emergency responders were unable to revive Sailem, though, and he died at Upstate Carolina Medical Center.

"Autopsy results confirm a wiener from a hot dog became lodged in Sailem's airway," Fowler said. "This is a most tragic event and my prayers are with Sailem's family."

Fowler added that hot dogs are a choking hazard and should be consumed carefully, especially by toddlers.

Sailem, of Elderberry Drive, was a junior at Spartanburg High School.

According to his obituary from the J.F. Floyd Mortuary, he was active in basketball and track. He is remembered as a devout Christian and member of Fernwood Baptist Church in Spartanburg. He was an active participant in the church's mission trips to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, and most recently to Boston this past summer.

He also was a volunteer at the Soup Kitchen at Second Presbyterian Church, Habitat for Humanity, and "Feed the Community" at Thanksgiving.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Fernwood Baptist Church, Fernwood Drive, Spartanburg.