Nick and Sarah Holmes were on their way to their midwife center when things started moving faster than anticipated.
Nick pulled off by mile marker 18.1 of the Pennsylvania Turnpike between Beaver Valley and Cranberry, a spot he usually passes on his morning commute, and called 911. A former firefighter, Nick said his training kicked in immediately, saying,
I just jumped into action. It's one of those things that's hard to explain unless you're in that position. You think you'd be a nervous wreck, but you know what the end game has to be, and there were no other options at that point.
A few miles down the road, Turnpike Equipment Operator Bob Demko heard over his radio that a woman was giving birth, so he jumped in his truck and rushed to the scene to assist in any way that he could. He arrived a full 10 minutes before the ambulance.
In a press release from the turnpike, Demko said,
I was the first one there, and I got to see a lot of stuff I never in my life thought I'd see. I don't have kids, and I told my wife later that I always wanted to witness this, and never thought I would.
He went on to say that this was a truly unique experience in his 18-year career.
It was really nice to see something positive happen out there - a new life. I'm just very happy I could be part of it.
After only a few minutes and what Sarah described as "2 and a half" pushes, baby Lottie was born on the side of the turnpike at 7:35 p.m., weighing 8 pounds, 11 ounces.
Lottie is Nick and Sarah's second child, which may explain their calm attitude towards the birth that did not go as planned!
Sarah told KDKA News,
I'm super proud of my husband, he did so well. I wasn't super freaked out or fearful, it was just a natural thing that had to happen.
After a few days in the NICU for hyperthermia, baby Lottie is now home and she and mom are both doing well.
Here's the local news story! 👇
P.S. Now check out our latest video 👇
