A 3rd grade student saved his friend, who was choking on a grape, using the Heimlich maneuver.

A third-grade student in America performs a heroic act: he saved his friend who was choking on a grape.

The heroic moment of a brave third-grade student saving his classmate from choking on a grape was captured on camera.

Eight-year-old Thomas Conley noticed something was very wrong while sitting next to Isaiah Rodriguez in the cafeteria of Porter Elementary School in Mesa, Arizona.

Conley told 12News, "I heard him crying and asked what was wrong. At first, I didn't understand what was happening."

"But eventually, I realized he was choking and decided to perform the Heimlich maneuver."

Thomas acted without hesitation, even before the adults realized what was happening, and saved his classmate who was about to choke on a grape with the life-saving Heimlich maneuver.

Conley explained, "Because I didn't want Isaiah to die."

Kathy Ray, the principal of Porter Elementary School, learned about the incident only when Isaiah's mother wanted to see the camera footage.

Ray was shocked by what she saw - especially since the incident deeply affected her after a student choked to death in the same cafeteria seven years ago.

"I had to keep watching; it was incredible," she said. "It was very emotional because seven years ago, almost at the same time, we lost a special needs student who choked in our cafeteria."

Thomas wasn't even sitting in his usual spot that day - but being there was life-saving for Isaiah.

Additionally, the incident happened the day after Conley and his mother discussed what to do in case someone chokes.

Ray recalled what Conley's mother said, "We were talking at the dinner table last night about how easy it is to choke on grapes." "And that really gave me chills."

The brave third-grade student is now being hailed as a hero. Local firefighters came to congratulate Conley at a ceremony held at the school on Tuesday.

The Mesa Fire Department presented the young boy with a certificate of appreciation for his "heroic actions."

Thomas simply told the crowd, "You shouldn't be afraid to help someone."