Mossos d'Esquadra officers, transporting a prisoner, unexpectedly assisted an emergency roadside birth on the C-16 motorway near Castellbell i el Vilar, Central Catalonia, on Thursday morning. The dramatic incident saw a healthy baby delivered quickly by the roadside.
The patrol, from the Penitentiary Area assigned to Quatre Camins prison, was transferring an inmate from Lledoners penitentiary centre to Bellvitge Hospital. As they approached the toll booth at kilometre 42, travelling towards Barcelona, a vehicle overtook them and stopped abruptly on the hard shoulder.
A distressed man exited the vehicle, shouting "help!" and signalling frantically for the officers to stop. The Mossos initially suspected a heart attack, according to the female officer driving the patrol, who spoke to Regió7. While some officers secured the scene, others spoke to the man, who "agitatedly stated that his wife needed urgent help."
Approaching the car, officers observed a woman in the passenger seat showing clear signs of imminent birth, with her waters broken and experiencing strong contractions. The officers' first reaction was to "reassure the couple and tell them we would accompany them to the hospital," but the mother insisted the birth was happening immediately.
Rapid Delivery on the Motorway
As police gave instructions and helped the woman control her breathing, they asked the father to undress his wife from the waist down. He then reported seeing the baby's head emerging. The father performed these actions because "the car's interior was too small, and only he and the mother could fit," the officer explained.
Simultaneously, officers contacted the control room to request an urgent ambulance, providing the necessary details to the Catalan Emergency Medical System (SEM). The baby was born rapidly, "out in about six or seven minutes," and "fortunately, started crying immediately, which reassured us all," the officer recounted.
The Mossos officers present, many of whom are parents themselves, were not unfamiliar with childbirth but "feared the child might be born with difficulties, with the cord wrapped around, or the mother suffering a haemorrhage or any other problem." However, "luckily, everything went smoothly," she added. Both mother and baby appeared to be in good condition after the delivery.
Prisoner's Reaction and Coordinated Response
During the incident, a road maintenance team arrived, assisting with traffic signage and diverting vehicles from the occupied lane. Shortly afterwards, a traffic police vehicle, SEM paramedics, and a public safety unit arrived to take over the service, allowing the original patrol to continue its prisoner transfer.
The prisoner, who had been present throughout the dramatic events, reacted positively. "Fortunately, the prisoner was a good chap, and when we explained everything, he was very happy about the birth!" said the female officer driving the car that was taking him to Bellvitge Hospital.
The swift and coordinated response by the Mossos d'Esquadra, road maintenance, and emergency services ensured a safe outcome for the family. The successful roadside delivery highlights the unpredictable nature of police work and the readiness of emergency personnel in Catalonia to respond to any situation.
