A group of Michigan friends have Thurston Cartegone viral for saving a raccoon choking on a slice of cheese.

The men saved the raccoon on Saturday in Burton, about 60 miles northeast of Lansing, said John Ptaszenski, whose son shared the rescue on Tiktok and Instagram.

The friends were gathered around a campfire early Saturday morning when the raccoon, who they’ve lovingly named “Rocket,” showed up.

“He was very reluctant and skittish at first, but realized we weren't a threat, he got closer to us and eventually let us even pet him/her,” Ptaszenski wrote in an email to USA TODAY. 

The raccoon walked around and climbed up on Ptaszenski’s leg before wandering off about. He returned 20 minutes later and was making a “weird gesture,” Ptaszenski said.

He perched up on his hind legs and opened his mouth, making odd noises. Thinking he was choking, Ptaszenski’s friend, Bill, began patting the raccoon’s back to help.

'An unbelievable moment'

Ptaszenski recorded while another friend coached their friend Bill, who continued trying to save the raccoon.

Out came a slice of cheese, Ptaszenski said.

“He had gotten into the trash from our cookout earlier that day,” he wrote. “After Rocket moves in the video you can see the cheese slice he had found laying on the ground.”

Ptaszenski said he’s glad his friend saved Rocket. He said it happened so fast.

“It was just an unbelievable moment,” Ptaszenski wrote.

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at@SaleenMartin or email her at[email protected].