Early Arrival for Baby Born at National Express Operator’s c2c Rail Station

A baby girl made a surprise entrance into the world last week when she was unexpectedly born at c2c’s Purfleet station.

Dorothy Igniboza gave birth to baby Esther last Wednesday afternoon (May 18) in Purfleet’s ticket hall helped by two passengers and two c2c staff .

Guided by a 999 operative, passengers Jenny Hay and Maria Kachalla helped Dorothy during her super-quick 18 minute labour, wrapping baby Esther in a jacket after she was born.

Jenny and Marie were assisted by Customer Service Assistance Sam Mpofu and Station Care Assistant Antonio Rodrigues.

The father, Fred Igniboza, rushed back into the ticket hall after trying to hail a taxi to take his wife to hospital, to see his new baby daughter in the arms of the two passengers.

The dad-of-two said, “We had been at the hospital earlier that day for a blood test and come back home. We were not expecting the baby until today so both of us were surprised when her waters broke at home.

“I called an ambulance but they said they could not bring her now so we went to the station to look for a taxi while my wife sat inside the ticket hall. By the time I got a taxi the baby had already arrived! I would like to thank c2c service and the passengers who behaved like a medical service. The ladies were not professionals but they behaved like it. In my heart I can’t compare how much they mean to me. It’s so amazing - it’s like something in a movie.”

Passenger Jenny Hay, who helped deliver the baby said, “I was waiting for my train when I saw this lady was in pain so I offered to help. It was clear the baby was on its way. There was no way she was going to get into a taxi.”

Hay, of Northfields, Ealing, said, “A 999 lady was on the phone talking me through it – and I guided the baby out. I saw the head was coming so I had to hold onto it so it didn’t fall on the floor. I was hoping the ambulance would come.”

Fellow passenger Maria Kachalla supported Dorothy’s head, with Mrs Hay guiding the baby.

She said,  “The 999 lady was saying now wrap the baby in a blanket. I thought I didn’t have one so I wrapped her in my jacket.”

An ambulance arrived soon after to take Dorothy and Esther to hospital.

Scott Walker, station manager at Purfleet, said, "We were stunned by what happened - we've never heard of this happening before. Sam and Antonio at the station did a great job and it's certainly a day at work they will never forget! We'd like to thank Jenny and Maria for stepping in to take care of the situation, and we're all delighted to hear that Esther, Dorothy and Fred are all doing so well.

"We do take customer care very seriously at c2c, so we're always happy to receive new customers for the first time - whatever their age!"