SPC helps woman give birth in taxi
With 22 years' service much of which spent on the frontline in Kowloon West, Senior Police Constable (SPC) Chan Yin-ha of Patrol Sub-Unit Mong Kok thinks she has seen it all. However, on March 12, she was suddenly confronted with one of her biggest challenges and subsequently enjoyed one of her most rewarding experiences since joining the Force.
This is what SPC Chan encountered: "It was about nine am and I and my colleagues were on patrol when we received a call that a woman was in labour in a taxi outside Mong Kok Police Station. As we were in the vicinity, I jumped out from our patrol car and rushed to the scene, but couldn't find the taxi. Soon, I managed to locate the taxi driver and the taxi at the rear of the station.
"The woman was at the back of the taxi with her husband, screaming that she was about to give birth. I ran back to our car to get a first aid kit and then returned to the taxi with two of my colleagues who were carrying blankets. The woman was in great distress and her screams attracted some passers-by. My colleagues then used the blankets to block bystanders' views, whilst I put on a pair of gloves, knelt down and cut the woman's underpants.
"I comforted her when I suddenly saw the baby's head coming out. I held the head as it continued to emerge. Soon, the ambulance officers arrived and took over the job. I stayed on with the mother and comforted her and, within minutes, her baby was born. When I heard the baby cry, I was so happy because I knew everything would be OK."
SPC Chan went on: "I shared the joy of the parents. The father was grateful to everyone there. I'm glad I was able to help and it's definitely one of the most memorable experiences in my career."
SPC Chan's quick thinking and action have earned for her the praises of many of her colleagues.
(Editor's Note: The two officers who lent a hand at the scene are Acting Station Sergeant Ching Chak-ming and Police Constable Chan Chung-shing.)
SPC Chan’s case shows
police officers often render services of an extraordinary nature