Police deliver baby at roadside

Police deliver baby at roadside

Samantha Smythe got stuck in traffic

Three policemen helped to deliver a baby boy while on patrol at the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Birmingham.

The officers were called into action when a female driver pulled up near to the National Indoor Arena with her passenger already in labour.

The security measures in place for the games, and the extra traffic, meant there was no chance of getting Samantha Smythe to hospital in time.

While his two colleagues called for back-up, Pc Alan Poole got into the back of the car, where he successfully delivered a 6lb 8oz boy.

The ambulance people said, 'Park up - you're going to have the baby at the roadside'

Samantha Smythe

Pc Poole, Sergeant Russell Yeomans and Pc Paul Fisher then accompanied mother and baby - who has been called Rashawn - to Birmingham's City Hospital.

Ms Smythe said it was quickly clear she would not make it to hospital in time.

"All the roads were blocked off. The ambulance people said: 'Park up - you're going to have the baby at the roadside.'

"I was in too much pain, I just didn't care.

"I just kept on pushing and pushing because I knew that the baby was on its way."

Mother and baby are doing well

The three policemen, who are usually based at Willenhall, near Walsall, West Midlands, had been supporting specialist armed officers at the championship venue during the prestigious three-day event.

Stand-in midwife Pc Poole, said it was an experience he will never forget.

"We're all dads so we all had a little bit of an idea.

"It was a privilege when he came out. I was in the right place at the right time.

"He shot out into my hands and I was the first one to hold him. I'm just so glad everything turned out right."

Inspector Paul Marriott said: "This was an unusual incident, which officers are not trained to deal with.

"So I am extremely proud with the way these officers conducted themselves - they responded quickly but calmly to a unique emergency and acted with the greatest professionalism."