First class delivery! Baby girl born on packed Southeastern train at West Malling
The woman gave birth on a
Southeastern train at West Malling
A midwife helped deliver a baby when a fellow passenger went
into labour on a packed rush-hour commuter train at West
Malling, it has emerged.
Sonia Banks, 22, gave birth to little Phoebe on the
6.18pm service from London Victoria to Ashford International
yesterday evening.
Southeastern today revealed how the driver's plea for help was
answered - by the midwife, a nurse and an off-duty police officers
who helped the conductor clear the carriage.
The rail operator, which said the train service was delayed
by about 40 minutes, said mother and daughter are doing well in
hospital.
Adam Stanley said on Twitter he is a "proud uncle for the
second time" after the birth.
"We had everyone we needed right there on the train. We were only missing a vicar to baptise the baby..." – conductor Colin Brooker
Miss Banks had boarded the train at Borough Green with her
boyfriend Alan Stanley, 21, and his mother Mari-Anne Stanley, who
lives in Cuxton.
She went into labour five minutes into her journey.
Driver Rob Friend put a call over the tannoy pleading for
any medics to come forward.
Luckily, one of the passengers was a midwife and was able
to help until the emergency services arrived.
There was also a nurse on board giving medical assistance and an
off-duty policeman who helped the conductor evacuate the carriage
for the exclusive use of the mum-to-be, her partner and her
mother.
The baby was born within 30 minutes at around 7.40pm.
Conductor Colin Brooker said: "We had everyone we needed right
there on the train. We were only missing a vicar to baptise the
baby!
“I kept all the passengers onboard informed about the delay and
there was a big cheer when we announced the baby was born."
The father-of-four added: "In all my 41 years working on the
railway I've never experienced anything like this. It was amazing.
I'll be having some celebration drinks tomorrow to wet the baby's
head."
The conductor and driver continued to work the rest of evening
shift, which ended at 1am.
Fellow passengers took to the social networking site to send
their congratulations.
Sophia Looney, said: "O Lordy. Woman on my train just gave birth
to a daughter. Eventful journey."
A commuter called James DEA, wrote: "I think the baby
born on #southeastern tonight should be given free rail travel for
life."
And passenger Richard Woodward, tweeted: "At last - a happy
excuse for a late #southeastern train."
Another passenger suggested the carriage should be named
after Phoebe.
Do you know the passenger who gave birth? Please phone the
newsroom on 01634 227834.
08/03/13
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