Barnsley Hospital car park took a surprise delivery when Charlie Howell arrived as his parents paid for a ticket.
Janine Parr and Richard Howell had been out enjoying a family meal with son Ellis, six, when her waters broke.
They dropped Ellis at his grandparents’ house before going to the labour suite at Barnsley Hospital. But the couple, of Stainley Close, Redbrook, decided to go home until her contractions became more frequent as she was not suffering any pain.
“We only live locally so we thought we would go home and go back to hospital later,” said Richard, 36. “I went to put the money in the ticket machine and Janine said the baby was coming.
“She said ‘oh my God, it’s here,’ and dropped to the floor. I asked someone to get some help. A student nurse who had just finished her shift and a member of the public stopped to help. We don’t know their names but want them to know how grateful we are.
“It was an experience to deliver your own baby and I’m glad I have done it but I wouldn’t want to do it again.”
Doctors rushed out to assist but Charlie had already arrived, three days early on June 14, weighing 7lbs 2oz.
l Did you help deliver Charlie? Contact Kate at the Chronicle on 734207.
