Baby girl born on packed commuter train just an hour after hospital told mum to go home
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 girl was born on a London commuter train less than an hour after her mother was sent home from hospital, relatives claimed last night.
Baby Phoebe made her dramatic entrance on the 18:18 from London Victoria to Maidstone East service on Wednesday, weighing 6lb 13oz.
Tunbridge Wells Hospital had assessed Sonia Banks, 22, after her waters broke at home but advised her to return there, saying the baby wasn’t going to be born imminently, Phoebe’s paternal grandmother, Mari-anne Stanley, said. “Less than an hour later her baby was born on the dirty floor of a train. It certainly wasn’t what we were expecting to happen.”
A spokesman said: ‘Miss Banks was appropriately assessed, was not in labour and no contractions had started.”
The child’s father Allan Stanley, 21, spoke of his joy at witnessing his daughter’s birth, declaring: “It feels like I’m on cloud nine.”
An off-duty midwife helped with the on-board delivery after the train driver called for medical staff to come forward.
The conductor kept commuters informed and the news of Phoebe’s birth was greeted with cheers and claps.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments