A pair of Philadelphia transit police officers made an unexpected Christmas delivery when they helped a mother give birth on a downtown subway train. Two Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) policemen assisted a woman who went into labor at the 15th Street Station shortly before 6 p.m. on Thursday.

Sgt. Daniel Caban and Officer Darrell James boarded the Market-Frankford El in Center City train after receiving a call, CNN affiliate KYW reported. Once they arrived on the scene, the two SEPTA cops discovered that the baby was already well on its way.

"As soon as we got there, I could see the baby's head coming through her sweatpants, and we just went right to work," Caban told KYW. "We just went right to work."

The officers proceeded by coaching the woman through the delivery and unwrapping the umbilical cord from the baby's neck before handing him over to the baby's father.

"Everything just happened so quick, but it was amazing," James told WCAU-TV.

The mother and her newborn baby boy were then transported to the Hahnemann University Hospital for an evaluation and reported to be in good condition.

"We delivered a baby for her, so it's like her Christmas present, but it's also like a blessing and present for myself. ... I was hoping for a quiet day, but this is worth it," Caban said. "This is what our job about."

Caban also said that helping to bring a baby into the world was a gift all by itself.

"I had already opened all my presents. I didn't know I had another one waiting for me around 5:53 this afternoon," Caban told WPVI-TV.

James agreed.

"Just a good Christmas, you know," James said. "I know it's definitely a good Christmas for that family."

The officers' boss, SEPTA police Chief Thomas Nestel III, also tweeted about the birth.

"Transit Police SGT and PO deliver baby on Market Frankford El train!!!! WOOHOO!!! Now that's a Christmas gift!!!" he wrote.

Related