12:32pm UK, Tuesday April 20, 2004

A quick-thinking waiter saved Nicole Kidman when she almost choked to death, according to reports.

Kidman was dining in a top restaurant in New York when a piece of vegetable became lodged in her throat.

Choked on vegetable

The Daily Star says a waiter realised what was going on and performed the Heimlich Manoeuvre to dislodge it.

A fellow diner is quoted: "She was sitting on her own in a private area of the restaurant and not many people realised what was happening.

"Nicole tried to get rid of the obstruction by coughing it up, but she got into difficulties.

"One of the waiters spotted what was happening and rushed to her table."

The paper says that, after dinner, Kidman tried to reward the waiter but he refused to take any money, saying: "I'm just doing my job."