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Woman becomes second ever to give birth on Tube
Rashid Razaq05.01.09
A WOMAN who unexpectedly went into labour and gave birth on the Tube is only the second person to have a baby on London Underground.
Julia Kowalska was travelling with her sister on a Jubilee line train when her waters broke.
She got off the train at Kingsbury Station, north-west London, but could not make it any further and went into labour on the platform to the astonishment of other passengers.
Station supervisor Sebastian Rebello told how he responded to a distress alarm to discover Ms Kowalska about to give birth.
He said: "I got a call from Wembley Park about a woman with stomach pains, but it was only when I reached the platform that I found out she was expecting.
"I just kept holding her hand to try to reassure her. I was a bit anxious, I just wanted the ambulance to get there as soon as possible."
Paramedics arrived at about 9pm on 19 December to find Ms Kowalska was too far into her labour to be taken to hospital.
She was taken to the station supervisor's office where she gave birth to a healthy girl just 35 minutes after calling for help.
The mother and baby were taken to Northwick Park Hospital. A Brent council spokesman said the authority had met Ms Kowalska, who is homeless, and was assessing her circumstances to establish what assistance it might provide.
A spokesman said: "A further meeting will take place this week."
Transport For London said the only other recorded birth on the network was when Marie Cordery was born at Elephant and Castle station in 1924.
Reader views (4)
Thank you Martin, very very funny. But I actually think you're telling the truth. Needed that on first day back to work!!
- Karenf, london
Martin Watson. I loved your comment!
- Jeffrey Bailey, Doha, Qatar
I wonder if any one offered her their seat
- Lezl, London / UK
I know of a woman who conceived, carried to term and gave birth while stuck on the Northern line.
- Martin H Watson, Teddington
