Flight diverted after woman on board gives birth to baby
LOS ANGELES, California – A plane headed from San Francisco to Phoenix was unexpectedly diverted Tuesday morning after a woman onboard went into labor and delivered her baby while the plane was in the air.
According to flight records, Southwest Airlines Flight No. 623 left San Francisco at 6:24 a.m. but was diverted to LAX, landing at 7:38 a.m. reported KTLA-TV.
The woman gave birth “slightly” after takeoff while the plane was in the air, Southwest Airlines spokeswoman Emily Samuels said.
Luckily for the woman, a nurse and doctor were both fellow passengers and were able to assist in the delivery, Samuels told KTLA-TV.
LA firefighters were there as the plane arrived at LAX and the mother and newborn were taken to a nearby hospital.
The two are “doing fine,” said LAX spokeswoman Amanda Parsons said.
As for the other passengers on the plane, they had to stay in LA an extra 2 hours before they were able to complete the rest of their journey to Arizona.