A woman in labor gave birth to a healthy baby boy inside a car near Kendall Road and Cummings Road in Tyngsborough, with a police officer and a 911 dispatcher helping guide the family through the unexpected roadside delivery. The baby began crying soon after he was born in the vehicle, and firefighters arrived to take over medical care before the mother and newborn were taken to the hospital for evaluation.
A Frantic Call, Then Calm Instructions
According to news.jgpr.net, Communications Specialist Kimberly Desmarais answered a 911 call reporting that a woman was in labor and about to give birth in a car near Kendall Road. The outlet reports the call came in at 8:55 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, though a Tyngsborough Police Facebook post describes the roadside delivery as happening Sunday night — the two accounts do not agree on the exact timing. Desmarais immediately dispatched Tyngsborough Police and Fire to the scene while staying on the line to walk the caller through emergency medical dispatch instructions meant to help the mother until crews could arrive.
Officer Olivia King Stark was the first emergency responder to reach the vehicle, per the same account. She relieved the baby's father, who had been assisting, and took over providing medical and emotional support to the mother as the delivery progressed. The baby boy was born right there in the car and began crying, a sign of a healthy delivery, before Tyngsborough firefighters arrived on scene and took over medical care.
Mother and Baby Head to Lowell General
Tyngsborough and Westford fire personnel then assisted in transporting the mother and baby to Lowell General Hospital for evaluation, the report states. Sgt. Nate Abdallah praised both responders for their roles in the time-sensitive situation, saying Officer King Stark remained calm, composed, and reassuring throughout the incident. He also credited Desmarais for effectively managing the 911 call, providing critical instructions, and coordinating emergency resources during the emergency.
Tyngsborough Police Chief Shaun Woods thanked the police officers, communications staff, and fire personnel from both Tyngsborough and Westford who took part in the response. He said Olivia and Kim put their training to use when this family needed them, adding that the mother and baby received the care they needed and wishing the family all the best.
Not the First Roadside Delivery This Month
Roadside births guided by 911 dispatchers aren't unique to Tyngsborough this fall. Earlier in October, a Summit Emergency Communications Center dispatcher helped a couple deliver their baby on I-77 northbound near US-224 in Ohio, according to Cleveland19.com. In that case, the dispatcher gave delivery instructions while the couple pulled over on the interstate, and the mother delivered just over two minutes after calling 911. An ambulance arrived ten minutes later, and firefighters confirmed both mother and baby were doing well after being taken to the hospital.
