A Newport News man has been charged with attempted manslaughter after police said he pulled his girlfriend's breathing tube out of her throat during an argument.

Police spokeswoman Holly McPherson says 38-year-old Roosevelt Habersham is accused of yanking out the woman's tracheal tube while they argued Tuesday. The woman gasped for air as she tried to re-insert the tube, then called emergency officials for help.

The police report stated that she required the tracheal tube after being injured in a car accident.

When police arrived at the home, Habersham and the woman gave different versions of events. Habersham said his girlfriend was trying to hit him and knocked the tube out of position, but she said he pulled the tube out of her throat. The officers charged Habersham, who is being held without bail.