A carrot cake fan forgot to chew her favourite elevenses snack and almost died!

The tasty walnut topping jammed in Bella McMunnagill’s throat, blocking her airway.

Only prompt reaction by a savvy off-duty policewoman saved her life.

PC Kim Webber (29) was having a haircut when Bella’s assistant burst into the Dawlish salon next door for help.

With her hair still in rollers the first response officer from Teignmouth began a 20-minute strength-sapping series of chest thrusts.

’It went on so long without a result I thought I was losing her.

’It was a race against time,’ admitted the former army triathlete.

’She was in a truly bad way. I couldn’t shift the nut, she was losing consciousness and I was getting very tired.

’Thankfully I finally managed to move it enough for her to breathe more easily and then she scraped it out with her finger.

’It was still touch and go.

’I’d carried out a few resuscitations before - including on my little sister. But this was the closest I’ve come to anyone dying on me.

’I was exhausted by the time the ambulance arrived.’

Bella survived the ordeal with severe bruising to back and stomach from her rescuer’s strenuous efforts.

But the 45-year old mother of two said: ’That was a small price to pay. I’d be dead if it wasn’t for Kim.

’She’s a proper hero and I’ve written to her bosses at Devon and Cornwall police recommending her for an award.

’I’ll never forget what she did for me.

’By the time she reached me I had collapsed and could barely breathe, She took charge very calmly and worked on me for what seemed like ages.

’I don’t know where she found the stamina.

’To carry out those manoeuvres for so long took sustained strength and willpower.

’She just kept working steadily to get my breathing going and loosen the nut enough for me to drag it out by my fingernails.’

Bella grew up in South Africa and like Kim joined the army.Years with the RSA engineers gave her the expertise to later work on the F1 circuits as a pit mechanic.

The business management consultant has also worked with the British Army’s motor cycle display team.