Port Authority Officers Aid In Delivery Of Baby Near George Washington Bridge Tolls
FORT LEE, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The George Washington Bridge's usual chorus of honking horns and rushing cars was joined by the sound of a newborn's cries early Saturday morning after several Port Authority officers helped deliver a baby on the bridge.
The officers helped deliver the baby girl Saturday morning near the toll booths of the busy span.
Port Authority police said the girl's parents, who are from Monroe, were in a Manhattan-bound taxi when the mother went into labor around 6:30 a.m.
Four officers aided in the delivery.
Officer Laverne Watson received the baby and Officer Steve Pisciotta, who is a trained EMT, clamped and cut the umbilical cord.
"I was a nervous wreck, but mom was fine," Watson told 1010 WINS' Roger Stern.
"I clamped the cord in two spots," said Pisciotta. "I cut the umbilical cord in the middle, wrapped the baby up," and then he handed the infant to first responders who had just arrived on the scene.
Port Authority officials said Pisciotta carries an obstetric kit in his medical bag with the necessary instruments, WCBS 880's Monica Miller reported.
An ambulance later took the mother and baby to New York University Medical Center, where police said they're both doing well.
It was the first delivery for both officers, Stern reported.
"Today was a good day. Today was a very good day," Watson said.
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