UNST, Scotland — A baby boy was born inside a coastguard helicopter yesterday as his mum was flown to hospital.
The tot was delivered by the winchman 1,000 feet up during an early-hours medical emergency.
The drama unfolded after the woman went into labour on Unst, Britain’s most northerly populated island, at 4.30am.
The doctor treating her called Shetland Coastguard to check the times of the ferries to the main island, and it was decided she would have to airlifted.
Chopper
At 6am the chopper landed on Unst and collected the expectant mum and her partner, named as Iona Williamson and Luke Rees.
But her little boy could not wait and was born at 6.30am as they flew over a place called Lunna Holm.
Winchman paramedic Marcus Wigfull, who delivered the boy, said: “It’s a 20-minute flight, but within three or four minutes of being airborne I realised there was no way we were going to complete the journey without another passenger on board.
“It was a very straightforward birth. It happened very quickly, in just a couple of minutes.
“It was a very daunting experience for the parents. We were 1,000 feet up and moving at 150mph in the dark with all the noises of the helicopter.
“It went very smoothly, and I’m delighted that mother and baby are both well. The baby had a good cry in the aircraft.
“Both parents were very thankful. There was also relief because it was a scary moment for them.”
Last night new mum and baby were at the Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick.
Marcus, who has two children of his own, added: “After 20 years in search and rescue this is the first time I’ve had to deliver a baby on my own.
“It’s a big moment and something I’ll never forget.
“It’s one the parents will never forget. The crew were laughing about what they put on the birth certificate.”
Alex Dodge, watch manager at Shetland Coastguard, said: “We would like to congratulate the mother and father on the birth of their son, who is reported to be doing well.”
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