Baby is born in bus station after mum went into labour at Sheffield interchange

The little girl was delivered in the staff kitchen while an ambulance arrived.

It is believed to be the first such birth to take place at a South Yorkshire bus station.

Shocked mum Katie Couldwell was getting a bus from the Arundel Gate Interchange when she went into labour.

She said: “I felt the baby coming and I knew I needed to get an ambulance. The staff called one and we went into the back room. I wasn't scared as I have had other children. But within seconds of my waters breaking, Destinie followed.”

Ambulance phone operators talked customer service adviser Rebecca Hall through delivering the baby with dad Gavin.

Rebecca said: “The arrivals we usually deal with aren’t as dramatic as Katie’s, but my day to day job is to help customers, so that’s all I did. I’ve never had to deliver a baby but we’ve all had first aid training and that must have kicked in as I just got on with it. I laid down coats and towels, made sure she was safe, and followed the instructions in the best way I could. I’m so glad they’re all OK and I’m happy I was able to help.”

When paramedics arrived, mum, dad and baby were taken to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital for further treatment.

Katie returned to the bus station to thank those that helped her.

“I’m so grateful to Rebecca for everything she did for me on that day. It must have been Destinie’s destiny to come into the world that way,” she said.

South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, which manages Arundel Gate Interchange, offered Katie a free travel pass and flowers to congratulate her.

SYPTE’s director of customer services Tim Taylor added: “We’re delighted for Katie, Gavin and their family on the birth of baby, Destinie – and believe it’s the first birth to take place in one of our bus stations. We’re also very proud of Rebecca for handling the situation in the most professional, brave and calm manner, and can’t commend her enough.”