‘Rock star mum’ provides delivery on flight as passenger physician helps ship mid-air miracle
A mum delivered a miracle baby at 30,000ft on a Delta flight after a doctor and EMTs used shoestrings and passenger blankets to aid the mid-air birth
Ashley Blair holds her daughter Brielle, who was born on a Delta Air Lines flight(Image: Tina Fritz/Facebook)
A Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta to Portland became the setting for a high-altitude miracle after a passenger unexpectedly went into labour at 30,000 feet. New mum Ashley Blair welcomed her daughter, Brielle Renee, into the world on Friday night, thanks to a dream team of medical volunteers who happened to be sitting just rows away.
When the call for help went out, EMTs Tina Fritz and Caarin Powell rushed to the back of the plane. However, they soon realised the aircraft wasn’t exactly stocked for a maternity ward.
Speaking to KOIN 6, Fritz revealed the quick-thinking tactics used to ensure a safe delivery. She said: “I asked for an OB (emergency maternity) kit, which they did not have. I asked for blankets, which they did not have.
“So I was like, okay, we need to get blankets from passengers. I need some shoestrings. So the flight attendant took his shoestring out, cut it for us.”
Despite the lack of equipment, the delivery was remarkably smooth. After just 30 minutes and “three really good pushes,” the little girl arrived safely.
Fritz, who shared snaps of the bundle of joy on Facebook, couldn’t praise Ashley enough for her composure during the mid-air emergency. Brielle weighed in at 5lbs 8oz and measured 18.5 inches.
Fritz hailed the new parent, saying: “Mom was a rock star, like, mom did so good.” Describing the surreal moment, the EMT added: “It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, actually.”
The cabin transformed into a community as fellow travellers donated their own belongings to help the labouring mum. Passenger Jess Cushenberry was among those who handed over a blanket.
Cushenberry told KPTV: “I actually didn’t know what was going on at first. Then somehow my seatmate found out that there was a baby being born.”
Watching the drama unfold, she was stunned by Ashley’s bravery. She said: “I’ve given birth, and I’ve given birth naturally, so I know it is not a comfortable situation. And she wasn’t yelling or screaming or anything.”
Another stunned witness described the scene as “pretty wild just to see it all happen.” As the wheels touched down in Portland, the entire cabin erupted into cheers for the family.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Delta said: “We extend our sincere thanks to the crew and medical volunteers on board who stepped in to provide care to a customer onboard prior to landing in Portland. The health and safety of our customers is always our top priority, and we wish the new family all the best.”
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