A newborn boy owes his safe delivery to the Irish Coast Guard’s Sligo-based search and rescue helicopter crew, following an emergency medical evacuation from Donegal’s Arranmore island.
Irish Coast Guard winchman and paramedic Gary Robertson delivered the baby in the corridor of Letterkenny General Hospital, minutes after the helicopter touched down on Friday night, 19th July.
The baby and his mother, Siobhán Lawlor, are reported to be in good health after the experience, which almost occurred in mid-air. It was her second child.
Irish Coast Guard Sligo helicopter winch operator John McCartney said the fact the crew were flying the newly leased Sikorsky S-92 was instrumental in arriving at hospital just in time. “The new helicopter was 15 minutes faster than the old S-61 would have been,” Mr McCartney said yesterday.
The helicopter's pilots on this mission were Brendan Jackman and Sean Redahan.
Rescue helicopter winchman delivers baby boy - The Irish Times - Mon, Jul 22, 2013