"On one job I ended up in hospital"

"A couple of years ago I attended a lady whose 4x4 wouldn’t start. I was told that she was on her own and that she was nine months pregnant, so I made sure that I got to her as quickly as I could.

"When I turned up, I barely had time to ask her about the problem with her vehicle, when she started having strong pains which quickly turned into contractions. Fixing the 4x4 was now the least of my worries; I had to get this lady to hospital – and fast.

"I helped her into my van and drove, as steadily and calmly as I could, to the local hospital where she was due to give birth in a couple of weeks' time. When we arrived I walked her into the accident and emergency department and thought that would be the end of it. I had even said my goodbyes and gave her my best wishes.

"However, there was to be another twist in this tale. It turned out that they were particularly busy that day and there was a shortage of porters, so the nurse asked if I would mind helping. I didn’t need to be asked twice, and before I knew it I was dressed in a hospital gown and taking the member to the labour suite. After she was made comfortable, I called her relatives and waited with her until they arrived. Oh, and there is one final twist. She gave birth to a baby boy and named him Craig."

Craig Donoghue, AA Technical Specialist Patrol