Orwell Bridge baby delivered with police help

The traffic officers have visited the Mackie family to see baby Rupert again

Two traffic policemen helped deliver a baby on the Orwell Bridge near Ipswich after the father flagged them down.

Suffolk PCs Andy Masterson and Jerry Cohen leapt into action after Andrew Mackie saw their blue light flashing.

Baby Rupert was born to Holly Mackie "within seconds" and the officers wrapped him in foil blankets before he was taken to hospital.

PC Masterson said: "We are both fathers and have a fair degree of knowledge when it comes to labour."

'Sheer luck'

The two policemen, who had been dealing with a broken-down truck on the A14, were on the eastbound carriageway during the early hours of 1 July when they were asked for help.

The A14 bridge spans the River Orwell estuary to the south of Ipswich

"We rendered as much first aid as we could and within seconds there was a baby boy before our eyes," said PC Masterson.

"We wrapped him up in one of our emergency foil blankets which we always have with us, started the engine and made sure he stayed warm until the ambulance arrived."

The parents, who have a two-year-old daughter called Rose, were driving when Mrs Mackie, who was a week overdue, went into labour.

The couple's son weighed in at 7lbs 5oz (3.3kg).

Mr Mackie, from Hadleigh in Suffolk, said: "It was absolute sheer luck I could see blue lights flashing on the bridge - I didn't care which emergency service it was. I just knew I would have to ask for help.

"We would like to thank Andy and Jerry so much for their help - they really did go 'above and beyond' both on the bridge and afterwards at the hospital."