Baby born 1,400 feet above Cornwall on coastguard helicopter
Torran MacDonald only second baby to be born on board coastguard helicopter mid-flight
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A baby was born on a coastguard helicopter around 1,400 feet above Cornwall as medics attempted to rush his mother to hospital for the delivery.
Alicia MacDonald gave birth to son Torran above Penzance after she had gone into labour while visiting the Isles of Scilly.
She had been on the islands to conduct the ceremony for a friend’s wedding when she went into labour earlier than expected on Saturday evening.
As there was no midwife service on the islands that eveningm the coastguard was asked by South West Ambulance Service to fly Ms MacDonald and her husband, Sandy, to the mainland.
So an aircraft stationed at Newquay was scrambled and collected a midwife before picking up the expectant mother and beginning the journey to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro.
But baby Torran, in no mood to wait around, was born on the aircraft, weighing 7lb and 8oz.
“Torran is doing fine and we'd like to thank the coastguard, the midwife and the midwifery team at the hospital,“ Ms MacDonald said, who was already mother to daughter Fearne.
Jonathan Mustard, aeronautical operations controller for HM Coastguard, said Torran was only the second baby born on board one of the service’s helicopters, the first being Lunna Holm above Shetland in December 2012.
“It's rare to hear that our helicopter launched with seven people on board but were preparing to land with eight,” he said: “Congratulations mum and dad.”
Additional reporting by PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments