FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - A South Florida mother received roadside assistance from fire rescue crews when she went into labor while being driven to the hospital.
Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue units arrived at the scene at Southwest 12th Court and 17th Avenue, Tuesday morning.
According to officials, Jade Turner was being taken to Broward Health Medical Center by her sister, but she was going into labor and realized the birth of the child was imminent.
Turner’s sister pulled over to the side of the road and called 911.
Hours later, Turner recounted her experience to 7News from her hospital bed.
“We’re stuck in traffic, and then I was pushing. As soon as she got off on the exit, I started pushing, and she was like ‘Stop pushing,’ and I’m like, ‘I can’t, I literally can’t,’ so she called 911, because when I saw the cars were backed up from the bridge, I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m not gonna make it, I’m not gonna make it,’ and when I told her that, my water broke.”
After fighting heavy traffic, rescue crews arrived at the scene. Fort Lauderdale Deputy Fire Chief Garrett Pingol was down the street from Turner and her sister and was the first to arrive alongside police.
“When Lieutenant walked up, I said, ‘This kid is gonna be here any second,'” explained Pingol.
Fire rescue officials loaded Turner into the ambulance, but as they were en route to BHMC, officials said, the mother gave birth to a baby girl.
“As we took off, as we were driving to Broward General, she delivered en route,” said FLFR Lt. Evelio Manso.
“Once the baby came out, we started suctioning the mucus — that’s very important to do right away — and then, after we did that, we heard the baby cry, and that’s a good sign,” said FLFR official Sean Horan.
Video released by FLFR captured the mother holding her baby as they were being taken out of the ambulance outside the hospital.
Turner said she is very happy to be holding her baby daughter in her hands.
“So much joy, so much excitement, just seeing her little face, just hearing her cry, she’s finally here! I finally have her in my arms,” said Turner.
Fire rescue officials were also seen delivering balloons to the happy mom at her hospital bed on Tuesday afternoon.
“Thank you guys so much,” she said to the crew of first responders. “I just, just thank you. There’s no other words to say but thank you, and I really appreciate you guys and what you’ve done.”
The baby daughter is named Genesis, according to Turner.
“It’s the beginning book of the Bible, and her middle name is Ayera, and it means chosen, so I know that she was definitely chosen by God,” she said. “I’m happy she’s here, I’m happy to be here, I’m happy to have this experience. This experience is, like, a once in a lifetime.”
The baby girl was born at 7.1 ounces and is happy and healthy.
Turner said she is excited to get home to be a mother to two girls.
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