A taxi driver with 24 years of experience had his first-time experience of a woman giving birth in his taxi.
Here is what ComfortDelgro said:
When Cabby Tan Boon Hoe picked up a couple in the wee hours of the morning of 13 January, he didn’t expect his taxi would double up as a delivery ward!
Cabby Tan had picked the couple up from Ubi at about 4am. They wanted to go to the KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital as the pregnant lady passenger appeared to be experiencing acute abdominal pain. But, halfway into the journey, her water bag broke and she shouted “the baby is coming out!”
Cabby Tan initially panicked but managed to calm down to suggest going to Parkway East Hospital instead, which was about 10 minutes away. They agreed. Cabby Tan drove swiftly to the hospital, and when they arrived, the husband called for the nurses and doctor, who came out to deliver the baby in the taxi. The whole process took about 15 minutes but to Cabby Tan, it felt like a lifetime!
The husband later thanked Cabby Tan and even tipped him. The Company also compensated Cabby Tan for the time he took to clean up the taxi.
In his 24 years of taxi-driving experience, this was the first time that Cabby Tan had witnessed a child birth in his taxi. He said: “Luckily, we got to the hospital in time even though the delivery had to take place in my taxi. It was a very special moment for me to witness a miracle in times like these – like a promise of a new life.”
As it was a street hail trip and everything happened so quickly, Cabby Tan could not get the couple’s contact before they were quickly escorted into the hospital. But, he hopes to be able to find out how they and their newborn are doing.
He added: “It will really be nice to know they are well and also if the birth certificate actually says ‘born in taxi’!”
The Company also hopes to get in touch with the family. If you happened to be the couple who had delivered your baby in Cabby Tan’s SH6627K taxi, please contact our Customer Service team at 6552 4525 or [email protected].
Image Source: Comfort Delgro Taxi