A FAMILY is celebrating today after paramedics battled through the snow to help deliver a baby.

Anthony Bond

A FAMILY is celebrating today after paramedics battled through the snow to help deliver a baby.

Although the baby girl was not due to arrive for another five weeks, she decided to put in an appearance on the snowiest day this winter for Suffolk.

East of England Ambulance Service (EEAS) paramedic Kev Kane attended mum-to-be in Lowestoft, while waiting for the midwife to battle through the snow.

Initial thoughts were to transport the mum to the maternity unit at The James Paget Hospital, in Gorleston. But the baby had other ideas.

At 8.58am, a 4lb girl was born. Mr Kane helped deliver her, assisted by a crew member from St John Ambulance, which had been called for back up.

Mr Kane said: “Mum thought she was about to give birth and, as she was the expert, we listened to her.

“In my 26 years I've attended one or two births but this was so unexpected and of course the difficulties caused by snow meant it was an even more special achievement.”

Marcus Bailey, Suffolk general manager, for the EEAS, said: 'We're delighted to report that mum and baby are doing well.

“Our crew and St John Ambulance did a great job in making sure the baby came into a very wintry world safe and healthy.”

Keith Hotchkiss, operations manager at St John Ambulance Suffolk, said: “Our crew was delighted that they were close enough to be able to assist and the delivery of a healthy baby is a great way to start the day.”