Baby girl delivered on 401 on ramp

A baby girl arrived sooner than expected and in an unlikely place on the morning of Wednesday, Oct. 15.

Middlesex County Ontario Provincial Police Constable Laurie Houghton said at 7:47 a.m. officers responded to a report of a woman in labour and about to deliver her baby at the Highway 401 westbound on ramp from Elgin Road just east of Dorchester.

“As police arrived to assist with traffic control, the Middlesex-London Emergency Medical Services were tending to the mother and the new arrival at the side of the road,” Const. Houghton said.

Both mother and baby were transported by ambulance to a local hospital for follow-up care.

“Middlesex County Ontario Provincial Police wishes to thank all the responders for their assistance and teamwork toward a successful outcome,” Const. Houghton said.

Reached on her cell phone, the mother would not identify herself and said the family “preferred nothing be said” of the unexpected birth of their daughter and the circumstances.

She did confirm she and her family lived in the Springfield area.

“Our baby is happy and healthy,” she said. “We were surprised but everything turned out great.”