A mother gave birth to a baby boy on board a Royal Navy Search and Rescue helicopter, which was taking her to hospital.

 

Heavily pregnant Ella McLachlan was being flown from the Isles of Scilly to the Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske, near Truro.

Crews on the helicopter, from RNAS Culdrose, desperately tried to reach the hospital in time but could not make it and Marcus Daniel McLachlan was delivered in mid-air.

He weighed 5lb 3oz and is believed to be only the second baby delivered in a Royal Navy helicopter.

Mrs McLachlan, husband Barney and baby Marcus were then whisked off to the Royal Cornwall Hospital.

They are all doing well after the surprise delivery.

Mr McLachlan, a baker, said: "We thought we'd have a relaxing day. Then at the end of the afternoon Ella started feeling some cramps.

"We went to see the midwife and she confirmed Ella was in labour and that she needed to call Culdrose to pick us up.

"The Culdrose boys were immense, absolutely phenomenal. At one point they had to shine a light for Sue.

"They were hugely caring and did us brilliantly. They always deliver and always look after us."