Firefighters save newborn after emergency birth in flood control tunnel
Las Vegas firefighters helped save a newborn after responding to reports of a woman in labor inside a flood control tunnel. (Credit: Las Vegas Firefighters Local 1285)
LAS VEGAS - Las Vegas firefighters sprang into action to save a newborn's life after responding to an emergency childbirth inside a flood control tunnel.
Dig deeper:
According to the Las Vegas Firefighters Local 1285, crews from Engine 44 and Rescue 103 responded to reports of a woman in labor inside a flood control channel tunnel.
When firefighters arrived, they were met with a newborn baby already delivered and wrapped in a sweatshirt.
Paramedics immediately provided care to both mother and child, safely clamping and cutting the umbilical cord before transporting them to a local hospital in stable condition.
Las Vegas firefighters helped save a newborn after responding to reports of a woman in labor inside a flood control tunnel. (Credit: Las Vegas Firefighters Local 1285)
What they're saying:
According to FOX 5 Las Vegas, firefighter-paramedic Eric Paul said he was handed the newborn moments after arriving at the flood control channel, where the infant was still attached to the umbilical cord and placenta and was initially unresponsive.
Paul said he quickly cleared the baby's airway, provided stimulation, and clamped the umbilical cord to assess the infant's condition. Drawing on years of experience—including delivering his own two children and several babies during his career—he was able to help stabilize the newborn.
"The baby came around and he was actually very, very healthy," Paul told FOX 5 Las Vegas. "This went about as well as you could ever hope for."
The Source: This story is based on information released by the Las Vegas Firefighters Local 1285, which detailed the emergency response by Engine 44 and Rescue 103, as well as reporting by FOX5 Las Vegas, including interviews with firefighter-paramedic Eric Paul describing the rescue and medical care provided to the newborn. This story was reported from Los Angeles.