Baby born on packed commuter train at West Malling

A baby has been born on a packed rush hour commuter train travelling from central London to Kent.

Rail operator Southeastern said the baby girl was delivered at West Malling on board the 18:18 London Victoria to Maidstone East service.

"The baby is doing OK and has been named Phoebe," a spokesman for the rail company said.

He added that the train was delayed while the baby was born but he did not know who helped to deliver the child.

"The normal protocol for a medical emergency is for the conductor to administer first aid, but it is likely he would have had to put a message out to ask for help," the spokesman said.

He added that the train had been delayed by about 45 minutes and the firm would be sending the new mother a bunch of flowers.

'Eventful journey'

Passengers have been sending their congratulations on Twitter.

Sophia Looney, who works for Lambeth Council in London, tweeted: "O Lordy. Woman on my train just gave birth to a daughter. Eventful journey."

Adding that the event would be a story for the family archive, she wrote: "Nice to hear train driver making such lovely announcements tonight. He sounds genuinely delighted."

One commuter, James DEA, wrote: "I think the baby born on #southeastern tonight should be given free rail travel for life."

Another user, Richard Woodward, tweeted: "At last - a happy excuse for a late #southeastern train."