A Farranfore midwife played a crucial role in delivering a baby at Luton Airport recently.

EXCLUSIVE

By Sean Moriarty

Michelle Skehan was returning from a family trip in London to Kerry Airport when a mother went into to labour in the airport’s departure lounge.

Michelle is the daughter of Mike and Margaret Moriarty of Central Car Sales in the village.

The whole family were in London for a family birthday party and were returning to Kerry Airport when the drama unfolded at Luton.

London Luton Airport staff worked together to provide the warmest of welcomes to a very special ‘airport arrival’, after a pregnant passenger went into labour in the airport departure lounge.
Rushing to the scene, members of the LLA Guest Experience, Security and Fire Service teams moved quickly to make the passenger comfortable and organise privacy screens, before delivering the baby in the departure lounge.

Further support was provided to the LLA team by passenger Michelle, a midwife, who was waiting to board a flight to Kerry.

Michelle was full of praise for the LLA team’s response: “I was pleased to assist in her delivery but a huge amount of credit is due to the staff in the airport. They were so calm and helped maintain the woman's privacy. The teamwork that I witnessed in the ‘delivery room’ was phenomenal and everyone should be so proud of themselves. It's definitely a birth I will always remember. One that I will surely be retelling for years to come!”

Following the birth, the LLA Guest Experience team ensured Michelle made it on to her flight just minutes later.

Melanie Horwood, Guest Experience Manager at LLA, led the team’s effort to successfully deliver the baby, following advice provided by Megan Bryne, a call handler with the East of England Ambulance Service. The two were brought together at a ceremony held at the airport to honour those involved.

Melanie, who has worked at LLA for 37 years said: “When I arrived, I could see that the lady was in full labour so we moved quickly to bring in screens and contact the ambulance service who advised me exactly what to do. We were delighted to deliver a beautiful baby girl and there was a feeling of complete elation afterwards as a huge round of applause broke out across the departure lounge for all the LLA staff involved. It just felt wonderful and I would do it all again in a heartbeat!”

Neil Thompson, Operations Director at London Luton Airport, added: “A huge well done to everyone from the LLA team who used all their experience and professionalism to remain calm and provide amazing support to ensure the safe delivery of the baby. Our teams work hard to deliver a simple and friendly passenger experience each day and are always prepared for a wide range of incidents to occur within a busy airport environment. We are immensely proud of the truly exceptional way the team pulled together and we are delighted to say that both mother and baby are doing well.”