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The baby born in a car park
A MUM today cuddled her new baby – who was born on a Calderdale car park.
Jenny Gibbons gave birth to Samuel in the family car on the way to hospital after getting caught in rush-hour jams.
Shocked dad Matt Gibbons pulled into the car park at the side of the road in Mytholmroyd as 8lb 5oz Samuel entered the world.
It was a dramatic start to the day for workers at neighbouring businesses. They dashed out with
towels and water as 32-year-old Matt dialled 999.
Jenny went into labour at 8.30am yesterday and called husband Matt, a teacher, who had set off earlier to work in Leeds.
He raced back from his first day back at school to their home in Hebden Bridge to take Jenny to hospital.
"But by the time he got back it was 9.15. We set off straight away but did not make it," said Jenny.
As they were stuck in traffic coming through Hebden Bridge, she could feel the baby's head emerging.
Jenny, 32, said: "As we were driving through Mytholmroyd he was coming out, so Matt had to pull over.
"He got out and came round to the passenger side. As he opened the car door, Sam came out. Matt picked him up and gave him to me and went to phone 999."
Matt called for an ambulance from Pennine Signs, in Burnley Road.
Managing director Dave Williams said: "A man came in saying his wife had just had a baby in the car. When I went out she was there with the baby in her arms.
"It was the strangest thing I have ever seen in my life, but fantastic as well. It was a lovely start to the day."
Dave's wife Jill said: "It was amazing. They had to pull in quickly because it was all a bit of an emergency.
"I dashed out with some towels and bottles of water. Mum seemed quite happy, though the baby was still attached by the cord. He looked lovely."
Hairdressers from Hair and Beauty World next door also provided towels to keep the baby warm while they waited for the ambulance.
Jenny and Matt were full of praise for those who helped after Samuel's birth.
Matt said: "They were fantastic. The 999 operators fed through what to do and what not to do. The ambulance men were brilliant. They knew exactly what they were doing.
"The people from the shops were great as well. We still have about 20 towels from the hairdressers!"
The couple's first son, Joseph, aged two, was also born quickly. His labour took only three hours.
Jenny said: "Sam was four days late so I was expecting something, but maybe not quite as fast as this!"
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Friday 10 February 2012
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