A TAXI driver acquired an extra passenger half-way through her journey to York Hospital - when a baby was born on the back seat.

Laura Nowosielski couldn’t wait for the car to reach the hospital and emerged into the world in Jayne Stretton’s vehicle in St Leonard’s Place, seconds after she had pulled to a halt.

Laura’s mother Malgorzata Gaska said the baby was safely delivered by her partner Peter, and they were then taken in the taxi to the hospital’s A & E department, where staff came running out to help her inside and check out her and baby.

They were both well, and the couple were able to take Laura back home the following day, weighing 3kilos, 620 grams.

Jayne, a former care worker, said the baby’s arrival late last Sunday evening came only months after she had started driving for York Cars Taxis in July.

York Press:

She said she had had no idea that one of her passengers was in labour until she arrived at the couple’s home off Sowerby Road, Acomb, and found Malgorzata crouching on all fours on the grass outside her home.

“I thought at first she was ill and only realised what was happening when she stood up,” she said.

“They got in the taxi and I drove through town to the hospital and was in St Leonard’s Place when Peter shouted: “Oh my God, the baby is coming!”

“I stopped the car and he jumped out from the front passenger seat and opened the back door. Fortunately it was quiet in St Leonard’s Place at that time.

“I thought, ‘Oh God, what do I do now?”

York Press:

Peter, 25, who works at ABP in Murton, near York, said: “I was scared.”

He said he saw the baby’s head had emerged and managed to get hold of her shoulders and help ease her out.

Jayne said she then drove them as fast as she safely could to the hospital, where she ran into the A & E reception to tell staff a baby had been born in her taxi, and about ten medics came running out with her to assist the mother and baby inside.

Peter, originally from Poland, said Malgorzata had been to the hospital twice in the preceding week but on each occasion had been sent home again.

Malgorzata, 22, who already has a three-year-old son, Adam, who was born in three hours, said Laura’s total labour lasted just an hour and a half.

Jayne added it was the first time a baby had ever been born in a York Cars Taxi vehicle.