Posted on: Thursday, July 26, 2001

Firefighters help mom give birth on H-2 Freeway

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Pearl City firefighters had just finished checking on a United Parcel Service truck that had spun out on the H-2 Freeway yesterday when they wound up making a delivery of their own.

The fire engine from station 20 was heading south on the freeway and returning to quarters when a blue Chevy Blazer pulled along side the truck shortly after 5 p.m.

The man driving the vehicle frantically signaled for the engine to pull over.

The man said he was taking his wife to the hospital to give birth, but that the baby apparently couldn't wait.

Pearl City Capt. Vernon Enriques said when he examined the 25-year-old woman, the baby's head was already showing.

Enriques and his crew of four jumped into action and got a birthing kit from the fire truck.

Within seven minutes, the woman gave birth in the front seat to a healthy baby girl.

Enriques said he has helped to deliver babies before, but this was the first for his young crew.

"I have a good crew and I'm really proud of them," he said. "We had a busy day, but a good day. We normally go to more depressing situations, whereas today was different, bringing about new life."

Enriques said the couple were from Hale'iwa and wouldn't have made it to the hospital, especially during rush hour.

Fire spokesman Capt. Kenison Tejada said that firefighters deliver about two to three babies each year. But he said a delivery in a car along a busy freeway doesn't happen very often.