‘Good Samaritan’ helps to deliver baby in car park
AN OVERJOYED couple have thanked the “Good Samaritan” medic who came to their aid to help deliver their newborn baby in a hospital car park.
Jake and Fionn Vance were about to head into the maternity unit at Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil when it was clear the expectant mum couldn’t wait any longer.
Luckily Gary Jones, a medic who had just finished his late shift, came to their aid and looked after Fionn and her baby until the midwifery team could take over.
Recalling the dramatic event, Jake, from Pontypridd, said: “I was woken up by Fionn who was feeling very uncomfortable.
“She rang the Royal Glamorgan Hospital and we were advised to go to Prince Charles Hospital.
“When we got to Prince Charles, I had difficulty finding maternity and parked as close to the A&E department as I could.
“Gary came along and offered his help. He came to the car with me, putting his jacket over Fionn’s shoulders and used his T-shirt to cover the baby’s head.
“We are very grateful to Gary and would like to say a big thank-you. He really is a Good Samaritan.”
Jake and Fionn were looking forward to the arrival of their son Pascal on February 12 – but he decided to appear a week early on February 5.
Gary, who works in surgical theatres as an operating department practitioner (ODP) said: “I was on call when I was called into work at around 2.30am to cover the hospital as my colleague on nights, Paul Benjamin, was busy in the A&E department.
“When I was leaving just over an hour later by the A&E exit, I saw a young man outside the main entrance frantically trying to gain access.
“I called over to him explaining that the entrance access to the hospital was via the A&E department.
“He then said his wife was in labour, so I directed him to the maternity unit and then offered him a lift over.
“He was more than a bit stressed and took a wheelchair telling me his wife was in the car. The penny then dropped – his wife was in labour in the car.”
The medic then followed Jake to the car and saw that the mother was on all fours on the floor.
“When I looked I could see the baby’s head,” he added.
“I was concerned about the baby’s temperature as it was a cold night so I removed my top and wrapped it around the baby’s head to preserve body heat.
“At this point the team from A&E arrived, led by Sister Pamela Parsons, who brought a trolley and torch which we used to observe the baby.
“I did think about delivering the baby but I was informed that the midwifery team were on their way so I continued to observe the baby and was relatively happy with him.
“This proved to be the correct call, as the baby would be warmer in the ‘oven’ than outside and I was also concerned about potential bleeding on delivery.”
The cavalry then arrived in the form of the midwifery team, with staff midwife Amy James and HCA Bernadette Fowler safely delivering the baby.
Mother and baby were taken to the A&E department and the paediatric emergency team were called.
Gary added: “I stayed around until things settled down to find out, thankfully, that both mother and baby were okay
“I got home at 5.30am, jumped into bed and the wife said to me ‘you’re freezing’ and I said ‘you’ll never believe what’s just happened to me’.
“I was certainly in the right place at the right time and made the correct calls which resulted in the right outcome.
“Although the initial care was carried out by myself, I must put on record that the support from A&E staff, midwifery team and the anaesthetic staff was immense.
“It was a great team effort with a wonderful result”.
Gary started in the theatre department in Prince Charles Hospital more than 22 years ago and has been able to attend various resuscitation courses for both children and adults.
He said he is certain that these skills helped him on that Sunday morning.
Pascal Maurice is now at home in Pontypridd with parents Jake, 31, and Fionn, 29, and two-yearold sister Estella Renea.