A mother told today how she gave birth on a garage forecourt, helped by her aunt, two police officers — and the motorists they were questioning.
Linda Frimpong, 28, was heading to Homerton Hospital with her husband Christopher Akiyemi and aunt Fola Thomas when their minicab got caught in a traffic jam.
As her labour began the group was forced to pull over onto the forecourt of a Mercedes parts and servicing centre in Newham and enlist the help of two police officers, who had been carrying out a roadside check nearby.
Even the motorists being interviewed by the police pitched in, helping Ms Frimpong to breathe properly during labour.
Today the parents, from Stratford, gave a “big thank you” to their helpers — and said they may name the girl Mercedes.
Ms Frimpong said: “I was in a lot of pain, I thought I was going to die the pain was so strong. We were stuck in traffic and I just couldn’t hold it any more. Then we saw the police cars and hoped they could help us.”
Pc Robert Morgan radioed for an ambulance and tried to make Mrs Frimpong comfortable, assisted by his colleague Pc Christine Goode.
Mr Akiyemi, 31, an Afrobeat singer, said: “I said: ‘I’ve got my missus in the car, can you help?’
“The police got on the phone to the ambulance service and Linda’s aunt took over with the birth.”
Mrs Thomas, a NHS children’s and families administrator, said: “I’ve never done anything like this before, its just down to the experience of a woman. I saw the head and told her to breathe. She pushed twice and the baby popped out into my hands.
“The guys then came back with towels to wrap the baby in.”
Ms Frimpong said: “I am exhausted but so happy today. It was so nice having the police there to help.”
Her husband added: “We want to say a big thank you to police and to the garage.”
Pc Morgan said: “We deal with all sorts of incidents, however I wasn’t expecting this.”
