A doctor on a flight from Amman, Jordan, to London Luton Airport helped deliver a baby mid-flight on Saturday morning. Dr Hassan Khan, 28, who works at Basildon Hospital in Essex, was returning from holiday when the crew called for medical assistance.
The woman, aged 38, was lying on the floor outside the cockpit with her waters broken. Dr Khan said flight attendants told him this was only the 75th infant born on a commercial flight. The Wizz Air plane was diverted to Brindisi Airport in southern Italy so the mother and child could be taken to hospital.
Dr Khan, who has been a doctor for four years, used only towels during the delivery as the plane lacked neonatal equipment. He noted the baby came out 'a little bit blue' but his experience in neonatal resuscitation helped bring her to full health. The mother did not speak English, so another passenger translated.
Despite being late for his shift due to the diversion, Dr Khan's consultant congratulated him on a 'really good job'. The family later updated him from the hospital that both mother and baby were in good condition, providing 'some positive closure'.
