Date published: 12 March 2020

Mum Nakita Fairbanks with EMAS technician Phil Rutherford (left) and paramedic Steven Clark. Inset: Baby William

A baby boy was born in the back of one our ambulances outside Hartsholme Park on the way to Lincoln County Hospital on Tuesday.

Baby William couldn’t wait a moment longer to meet his mum Nakita and his dad Gavin. The special moment was witnessed by EMAS technician Phil Rutherford and paramedic Steven Clark.

It was the pair’s first call-out of their twelve-hour shift, and for Steven, this was the first time a baby had been born in the back of their ambulance.

He said: “On the way to hospital, Nakita’s contractions started to become more intense and closer together and it was at this point that I shouted to Phil to pull over, just outside Hartsholme Park.

“Within a minute of stopping the ambulance Nakita’s waters broke and soon afterwards baby William arrived.

“I am in a very privileged position as a paramedic to be able to witness the instant bond between a mother and her baby who have laid eyes on each other for the first time.”

Baby William weighed 7lb 15oz.

Brian Jaffrey, Ambulance Operations Manager for Lincolnshire Division of EMAS said: “We received a call at 7.21am on 10 March to a private address in Lincoln for a woman who was in labour.

“We sent a crewed ambulance and baby William was born at 8.19am on route to Lincoln County Hospital.

“Nakita and baby William were in the safe and capable hands of EMAS technician Phil Rutherford and paramedic Steven Clark, who have 25 years’ experience of working in EMAS between them.

“We wish Nakita, her partner Gavin, and their newborn son all the best for the future.”