Southeastern train baby ‘doing well’

Several passengers onboard the 18.18 Southeastern service to Ashford found themselves delivering a baby after a pregnant traveller went into labour in the middle of the busy carriage.

A midwife and a nurse, who happened to be on the train at the time, responded to a call for medical help over the driver’s tannoy yesterday evening five minutes after the female passenger had boarded the train at Borough Green.

An off-duty policeman also volunteered to help the conductor evacuate the carriage to give the mum-to-be some privacy.

Baby Phoebe was born at around 19.40 and both mum and baby are reported to be doing well in hospital.

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.”

Southeastern has sent a bunch of flowers to congratulate the new mum.

Well wishers have taken to Twitter to congratulate the couple.

Se_Raleway Congrats to the woman who gave birth on train from Victoria this evening. Hope #Southeastern didn’t fine your baby for not having a ticket. 07/03/2013 21:14

WeLoveHouses Lovely story at West Malling – a new baby girl born on a SouthEastern train (the 18.18) Congratulations. mother and baby both well. 07/03/2013 20:57

folkestoneiron Shame that the baby born today on a southeastern train wasn’t on a Virgin train. Could see the headlines now. Virgin Birth 07/03/2013 23:17