A heroic Sunderland man has gone viral after saving a choking driver in the layby of a North East road. 

Brandon Alderson, of Sunderland, spotted a distressed-looking driver as he was travelling down a country lane on June 13. When realising something serious was wrong, he pulled over. 

The driver, a middle-aged man, gestured to Brandon that he was choking, and dauntless Brandon dove right in. 

He performed chest thrusts around six times, and within 30 seconds of initially spotting the choking man, the obstruction in his airway has been dislodged.

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The choking man is able to walk away from the situation - which may not have been the case without Brandon's quick thinking and first-aid know-how.

The video, posted by Brandon's parents, has rightfully garnered attention and praise, with individuals deeming him "a true angel", and "deserving [of an] award", and others saying that they will use the example of quick-thinking first aid as an example in their medical studies. 

Brandon's mum Donna was "proud as punch" of her son's actions. 

She said: "Words cannot express how proud I am of my boy performing the Heimlich manoeuvre yesterday, and potentially saving this man - a total stranger who was choking!"

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Dad Neil was equally delighted, saying: "One proud dad, our Brandon saved someone's life yesterday. Right place at the right time - good on you son."

The video of Brandon's heroic actions has gone viral, being seen by hundreds of thousands of people - and hopefully inspires others to follow in Brandon's heroic footsteps.

Peter M. Heimlich is the son of the late Dr. Henry J. Heimlich, best known for introducing and popularizing the Heimlich manoeuvre. 

He said: "Three cheers for Mr. Alderson for his courage and quick thinking that saved the day. Based on the video, however, he did not perform my father's namesake abdominal thrust manoeuvre - he performed chest thrusts. 

"As it happens, there's an ongoing 40-year debate in the medical community whether chest thrusts are more effective and safer than 'the Heimlich'. Further, some experts believe chest thrusts will eventually become the preferred treatment. 

"So was Mr. Alderson ahead of the first aid curve? Maybe so. In any event, if I ever suffer a choking emergency, I hope he's nearby."