Two police constables who assisted at an emergency childbirth in the back of a vehicle have met the newborn for a second time, weeks after the dramatic incident unfolded on a County Antrim roadside. According to BBC News, Constables Campbell and Lavery were conducting a routine traffic operation in Ballymena on 9 October when they encountered a father running towards them in distress, signalling that his wife was in active labour.
The officers responded swiftly to the emergency, though the birth progressed faster than anticipated. Police Mid & East Antrim later welcomed the newborn, named Benedykt, as its "newest recruit" and confirmed the officers had returned to congratulate his parents and two older brothers.
An Unexpected Turn During Night Shift
Constable Campbell, who has served with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) for almost two years, described the moment as entirely unanticipated.
I think, obviously, you maybe worry somebody has had a breakdown or somebody needs help, but certainly not that his wife is in labour.
The officers had been stationed on the Raceview Road during the early morning hours when conditions were particularly challenging. It was half-past-three in the morning, with rain falling and temperatures dropping. As Campbell noted, the location presented its own difficulties:
it's a very exposed piece of road, it wasn't a particularly nice place to be that time of night.
What had begun as a
very mundane night shiftwith minimal activity transformed dramatically within moments. Constable Lavery, who joined the PSNI in May 2025, explained that their initial plan had been to transport the mother to hospital, but events moved far more rapidly than expected.
She had basically already delivered the baby in the back of the car, she had been absolutely amazing.
Critical Moments and Immediate Concerns
As a father himself, Lavery understood the inherent risks associated with roadside childbirth and remained vigilant about the newborn's condition. He repeatedly asked Campbell whether the baby had cried, recognising this as a vital sign of health.
We needed that baby to cry,he explained, adding that
my colleague said the baby had cried, which was good news, but the worry moved on to mum.
With limited resources available at the scene, Lavery retrieved a high-visibility jacket from the police vehicle and wrapped it around both mother and infant to provide warmth during the exposure on the roadside. Campbell emphasised the mother's composure and determination throughout the ordeal.
There was absolutely no hesitation, she lifted the baby up and made sure the baby was ok.
The officers' role centred on providing comfort and reassurance while coordinating with emergency services. Campbell stressed that
all they could do was provide a bit of comfort and try to get someone from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service there as quickly as possible.
A Reunion and Lasting Memory
Both constables had the opportunity to meet baby Benedykt for a second time during the week following the incident. Campbell reflected on the reunion with evident satisfaction:
It was great to go back and see that everybody was doing well.Lavery added a personal touch to his recollection, saying
He's just so small and dainty and good to get a cuddle off him,though he acknowledged
I hope it's not a situation I have to probably be in again.
According to The Sun Ireland, Benedykt's mother, Kinga, expressed gratitude to the officers for their support during what she described as a "special but overwhelming moment" for the family.
For Campbell, the experience represents something he recognises as genuinely exceptional.
It's the one I'll always remember, it's probably one most people would remember. It's not something that happens, that I've heard of before. A lot of people who have been in the police for years have never experienced it.The incident stands as a remarkable reminder of the unpredictable nature of frontline policing and the human connections that can emerge from emergency response work.
