Press Association
Sunday 12th February 2012
A London taxi driver has told of his shock after he picked up a customer and helped deliver her baby in the back of his cab.
Iain Coombes was called to collect heavily pregnant Ayse Sabuncu, 37, and her fiance, Matthew Scutt, 32, for what he thought would be a run-of-the-mill journey.
But the driver was forced to turn midwife when the baby boy popped out just after he pulled up outside the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
"I've had many experiences as an Addison Lee driver, but nothing like this," he said. "I'm just glad everything went OK."
The drama unfolded after Mr Coombes, a former a City accountant, was called to a pick-up in the Wandsworth area of south London.
The 42-year-old, from Sidcup, south east London, was greeted by the couple who explained they needed a lift to hospital for the birth of their first child.
But while crossing Chelsea Bridge, Miss Sabuncu realised the baby was on its way.
They pulled up outside the building with moments to spare and Mr Scutt, a software consultant, dashed in to get help.
By the time he returned with doctors, he found the baby lying in his mother's arms.
Emre Arthur Scutt, who was born a week early, weighed 6lb 7oz.