Mum gives birth on hard shoulder of M42

Motorway police assisted a mum who gave birth on the M42 today (30th April).

Baby Tommy was delivered on the hard shoulder of the motorway as his family were stuck in traffic due to a collision and fuel spillage between J7A and J7.

Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) were called to help with the special delivery.

The father-to-be made a frantic 999 call at around 5.25pm saying that his wife was about to give birth and they were stuck in traffic.

PC James Barry rushed to the family’s aid and arrived within two minutes of the call to find that the she had already given birth and was sitting in the back of her Vauxhall Zafira with her new born son.

PC Barry, from CMPG, explains: “By the time we arrived, mum had done all the hard work and we there to make sure everyone was ok.

“The family were driving home on the motorway and had got caught up in traffic following a diesel spillage. The lady who already has two sons aged 2 and 4, who were in the car at the time, suddenly went into labour which was a complete shock as the baby wasn’t due for another three weeks.

“The husband did the right thing and pulled over onto the hard shoulder and called us for help, he told us that it had all happened so fast, that within 20 minutes of his wife going into labour she had given birth!

“The ambulance crew were struggling to get to us as the motorway was blocked, so we blue lighted the family to the motorcycle museum where the crew were able to meet us and take over.

“It was lovely to receive a photo of the baby named Tommy and we are glad that they are all doing well.”

The family of the lady have been in touch with CMPG to thank the officer for his help.

Terry Kemp, the baby’s grandfather, said: “Would just like to say a big thank you to police who came to the rescue on the M42 this afternoon to collect my new born grandson Tommy and his mom and family.

“After giving birth on the hard shoulder we were stuck there due to a bad accident.

“Mom and baby are doing well. Once again, a big thank you to the police.”