Baby born in freezing hotel car park after parents turned away from hospital

Charlie Smith enters world outside Premier Inn Grimbsy

Charlie Smith was born in an ambulance outside Premier Inn Grimsby (PA)

A baby was safely born in a freezing hotel car park after his parents were sent away from hospital during the recent cold snap.

Harriet Hanson, 25, and Adam Smith, 28, checked into the nearby Premier Inn in Grimsby rather than make the 45-minute journey home.

When Ms Hanson's waters broke later that night, hotel staff called 999 and were told to prepare to deliver the baby themselves.

However paramedics soon arrived and Ms Hanson was taken to an ambulance in the car park to deliver baby Charlie at 12.29am on 8 February, weighing 8lb 3.5oz.

The couple have now thanked hotel staff for their help that night and revealed they had affectionately nicknamed their first child ‘Car Park Charlie.”

They told how they had travelled to hospital in Grimsby after Ms Hanson began having contractions but were told to come back when Ms Hanson was in established labour.

"The three decisions we made that night - follow our instincts and not return home to Skegness, find somewhere local to stay, and finally choosing the Premier Inn - were, we believe, critical in ensuring the safe arrival of baby Charlie," the couple said.

"To say you were born in the car park of a hotel is certainly a story you will never forget - we have even affectionately nicknamed him Car Park Charlie.

"We are so grateful for the care and kindness shown by the team at Premier Inn, especially by Mike, during our time of need."

A Premier Inn spokesperson said that baby Charlie is believed to be the hotel chain's youngest-ever guest and they are looking forward to welcoming the family back with a complimentary stay to show him where he made his surprise entry into the world.

Night team staff member Mike Krofchak, who helped the couple by calling 999, said: "We welcome guests from all walks of life but baby Charlie is definitely the most unexpected."

He added: "It is a real privilege to know I helped in some small way with the safe arrival."