Near-airborn newborn ‘future pilot’ says mum
RACQ Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service of Queensland, Australia, has been featured in a report by local newscaster WIN News after a baby was almost born during a medical transport mission.
RACQ Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service of Queensland, Australia, has been featured in a report by local newscaster WIN News after a baby was almost born during a medical transport mission.
The crew was called to airlift a 31-year-old pregnant woman from Masthead Island. The patient, who was in the 29th week of pregnancy, had been camping on the island with her husband, family and friends when she went into labour. Landing on the island was made difficult by a high tide, leaving only just enough room on the beach to set the aircraft down. The patient was monitored by ultrasound during the flight, and aircrewman Dave Patterson reported that the crew made ready for an in-air delivery. However, although it was a close call, the baby boy was delivered approximately 20 minutes after the helicopter touched down in Rockhampton.
Speaking from Brisbane Women’s Hospital, Sarah Cann, mother of baby Ziggy, told WIN News he could be a future pilot: “Looking at him with the mask on, he looks like a bit of a pilot. He’s certainly been flying around a lot for the first 24 hours of his life.”