Taxi driver helps passenger give birth
03.09.2010
(UKPA) – 7 hours ago
A London taxi driver has told of his shock after he picked up a customer and helped deliver her baby in the back of his cab.
Iain Coombes was called to collect heavily pregnant Ayse Sabuncu, 37, and her fiance, Matthew Scutt, 32, for what he thought would be a run-of-the-mill journey.
But the driver was forced to turn midwife when the baby boy popped out just after he pulled up outside the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
"I've had many experiences as an Addison Lee driver, but nothing like this," he said. "I'm just glad everything went OK."
The drama unfolded after Mr Coombes, a former a City accountant, was called to a pick-up in the Wandsworth area of south London.
The 42-year-old, from Sidcup, south east London, was greeted by the couple who explained they needed a lift to hospital for the birth of their first child.
But while crossing Chelsea Bridge, Miss Sabuncu realised the baby was on its way.
They pulled up outside the building with moments to spare and Mr Scutt, a software consultant, dashed in to get help.
By the time he returned with doctors, he found the baby lying in his mother's arms.
Emre Arthur Scutt, who was born a week early, weighed 6lb 7oz.
Source; The Press Association
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Cabbie delivers woman's baby in back of his taxi
02.09.10
A London cabbie had to be midwife for a customer he helped deliver her baby in the back of his taxi.
Praised: taxi driver Iain Coombes with couple Matthew Scutt and Ayse Sabuncu, and their son Emre
Iain Coombes was called to collect heavily pregnant Ayse Sabuncu, 37, and her fiancé, Matthew Scutt, 32, from their home in Wandsworth to go to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
But while crossing Chelsea Bridge, Miss Sabuncu realised the baby was on its way.
They pulled up outside the building and Mr Scutt, a software consultant, dashed in to get help. By the time he returned with doctors, he found the baby lying in his mother's arms.
42-year-old Mr Coombes, a former a City accountant from Sidcup, said: “I've had many experiences but nothing like this. I'm just glad everything went OK.”
Emre Arthur Scutt was born a week early on August 25 and weighed 6lb 7oz.
“Looking back, it's all a bit of a blur,” Mr Scutt said. “However Iain did a fantastic job and kept his cool, and the staff at the hospital were excellent afterwards.”
Miss Sabuncu, an energy markets consultant, said she had been “a bit nervous” when her contractions started at 5.30am on August 25.
“I called a midwife but I was told it would be ages before my waters broke so we stayed at home until that happened at about 11, when I realised the baby was on its way.
“In the taxi I kept saying the baby's coming, the baby's coming', but I don't think anyone believed me until his head popped out.
“Luckily we were in front of the hospital when it happened.”
Miss Sabuncu, who was born in Turkey, said the experience was “quite scary” but praised Mr Coombes for his calm handling of the situation.
“He was so helpful,” she said. “He had to battle through traffic to get us to the hospital as quickly as possible and then afterwards he wanted to send us flowers immediately.”
John Griffin, chairman of taxi firm Addison Lee, said: “This is the first baby we have had born in a cab. Congratulations to the family from all the team.”
Source; http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/ ... is-taxi.do
