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Rail passenger helped fellow commuter give birth to baby boy on Southeastern train despite having no medical training

Mariyana Andreeva, pictured, helped to deliver a baby on a Stratford bound train on Thursday evening
Mariyana Andreeva, pictured, helped to deliver a baby on a Stratford bound train on Thursday evening

A rail passenger told today how she helped a fellow commuter give birth on a train – despite having no medical training herself.

Mariyana Andreeva, 52, was on board a Southeastern train from Rainham to Stratford on Thursday evening when the woman went into labour.

Ms Andreeva, who is originally from Bulgaria but lives in Ilford, told the Standard: “I helped the mother get undressed when I realised that the baby was coming. I shouted out to the other passengers to help me and we put the mother on the floor. I was really scared and stressed – so was the mother.”

With the help of other passengers and Southeastern staff, Ms Andreeva placed a coat beneath the mother before telling her to push. Within minutes, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy.

“Luckily I was in the right place on the right time...With my two hands I helped her to deliver the baby boy safely,” she said.

The baby was born on a Southeastern train (Rex)
The baby was born on a Southeastern train (Rex)

After the train pulled into Stratford International, paramedics took the mother and her new son to Newham University Hospital. Both are said to be doing well.

Ms Andreeva, who works as a cleaner, said she had an idea of what to do after giving birth to three children - Kristiyan, Petya and Denica - herself.

She added that she now wants to meet the mother of newborn baby.

“All I know about the mother is her age and that her baby is a boy,” Ms Andreeva said. “I want to meet her as I was with her during the most important moment of her life,

“I want to make sure she’s ok and I want to meet him.”

A Southeastern spokesman said: “We were pleased to welcome a new arrival at Stratford International station on Thursday evening, with a baby boy born on board one of our trains.

“At around 9pm, we held the train at station to wait for an ambulance, after the mother went into labour and passengers and Southeastern colleagues helped to deliver the baby. Mum and baby were taken to hospital and we send them both our warmest congratulations.”

* Do you know who the mother is? Contact isobel.frodsham@standard.co.uk.