Isles of Scilly baby boy born on rescue helicopter

A baby boy has been born onboard a Royal Navy rescue helicopter.

Ella McLachlan, who went into labour on the Isles of Scilly, gave birth in mid-air after Falmouth Coastguard received an emergency call on Tuesday.

The RNAS Culdrose crew tried to get her to hospital before delivery, but had to tell the coastguard the crew of seven had "just increased to eight".

The baby, who has been named Marcus Daniel McLachlan, weighed 5lb 3oz (2.3kg)

Mother and son are being cared for at the Royal Cornwall Hospital.

Midwife 'excited'

Baby Marcus was delivered by a midwife who had flown out to St Mary's.

Lt Cdr Chuck Norris, the observer on board the helicopter, said the baby boy was born "somewhere over the River Fal" about 10 minutes before landing.

"The midwife started to get a little bit excited and said we'd better start getting prepared for the birth," he said.

"So, we got the equipment ready and we gave mum as much encouragement as we could."

According to the coastguard, it was the second time a woman in labour had been flown to the mainland.

"But, the one earlier made it to the hospital in time," a spokesman told BBC News.

"It's quite unusual, but it has happened before, a long time ago."