Baby boy born mid-flight on Coastguard helicopter
Our Newquay
Coastguard helicopter turned airborne maternity unit on Saturday night when
HM Coastguard’s
Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre, was called by South West Ambulance at
1900 hrs to request assistance with a woman who had gone into labour whilst visiting the Isles of Scilly. Since there was not a midwife on
the islands on Saturday the Mum, ‘Bump’ and Dad needed to be evacuated from the
islands to a hospital on the mainland.
The Newquay
Coastguard helicopter was scrambled, collected a midwife en route, touched down
at St Mary’s airport, picked up the man and woman then began the trip to the Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske, near Truro. However,
the baby boy was in such a hurry he decided to make a guest appearance onboard
the aircraft. At 2053 hrs, with the help of the midwife and aircrew, the
healthy baby boy was born.
Jonathan
Mustard, Aeronautical Operations Controller for HM Coastguard said:
“This is the
second time in recent times, that a baby has been born on board a Coastguard helicopter. The
last one was born over Lunna Holm, Shetland in December 2012. We are absolutely
thrilled and delighted to have played a part in the birth and are pleased that
mum and baby are doing well. It’s
rare to hear that our helicopter launched with 7 people on board, but were
preparing to land with 8. Congratulations Mum and Dad!”
Photo courtesy of Greg Caygill hellophoto.co.uk