SEPTA officers help mother deliver baby on Market-Frankford El train

PHILADELPHIA -- Transit officers in Philadelphia helped make a very special Christmas delivery.

Loreta McNeil and Michael Peterson were on board the Market-Frankford subway train Thursday evening when it suddenly halted.

"Next thing you know, the El just stopped; we wanted to know what all the commotion was about," Peterson said.

The commotion was a woman in labor ready to give birth on the train.

"A baby on Christmas on the El. I couldn't believe it," Peterson said.

Peterson began rolling with his cell phone camera.

Sgt. Daniel Caban, who works the subway line, was the first to respond.

There was no time to spare as the baby was coming.

"So I rushed down the stairs," Caban said. "I was like, 'hey guys get your gloves, you come on,'" Caban said.

Sgt. Caban was joined by Officer Darrell James.

SEPTA surveillance captured the officers entering the subway.

The two guided the mom-to-be.

"She was just focusing on breathing," James said.

They then helped her deliver the baby.

"The umbilical cord was tight around the neck a little bit, cleared that, other than that, healthy baby boy," James said.

A medic could be seen on SEPTA surveillance holding the newborn.

It's being called a Christmas miracle.

"It was such a joy to see a baby born on a train, you're not expecting that," McNeil said.

"She definitely got her present for Christmas," Peterson said.

It was truly an unforgettable day for passengers and for two of SEPTA's finest.

"They tell us there will be crazy days; they never told me it would be on Christmas Day now, but all in all, this is a blessing," James said.

"I had already opened all my presents I didn't know I had another one waiting for me around 5:53 this afternoon," Caban said.

Officials say the mother and baby were taken to Hahnemann University Hospital in good condition.

SEPTA Police Chief Thomas Nestel III later tweeted about his department's excitement over the birth saying, "Transit Police SGT and PO deliver baby on Market Frankford El train!!!! WOOHOO!!! Now that's a Christmas gift!!!"

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.