A stunned woman delivered her grandchild in a lift as her daughter went into labour a week early.

Express delivery - mum Sarah with baby Billy, dad Shane and gran Sue Picture: TERENCE BUNCH

Little Billy Guiver was born in a Southend Hospital lift as his mother Sarah Coombes of Meteor Road, Westcliff, made a last-minute dash to the maternity ward.

Miss Coombes's waters broke seconds before in the hospital's car park and she could feel the baby's head as she got in the lift with her boyfriend and mother.

By the time they reached the second floor of the Cardigan Wing Billy had popped out - straight into grandmother Susan Coombes's arms.

Proud mother Miss Coombes, 24, who lives with partner Shane Guiver and their two other children in Meteor Road, Westcliff, said: "It was horrendous, but I can see the funny side now. I woke up at 3am with strong pains and my partner drove me to the hospital.

"When we got in the lift, I threw myself on the floor, pulled my trousers down and Billy was born."

Published Tuesday, April 8, 2003

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