SALT LAKE CITY — The cry of a baby could be heard in downtown Salt Lake City Thursday morning right after the child was born inside a van on 300 South near Main Street.
A baby girl named Allison decided to enter the world about 6:45 a.m.
Sally Caldora first heard the parents yelling for help and assisted with the delivery.
“We were watering our plants and came to the corner and there was a man screaming for help, that his wife was having a baby,” Caldora said.
She immediately ran to the gray minivan and found that a baby was indeed on the way, in the front passenger seat.
“Talked to 911, clamped the cord with a shoelace and calmed down mom and dad,” Caldora said. “She was beautiful, screaming her head off, healthy as can be.”
As Salt Lake fire crews attended to the mother, a very surprised but happy father was on the sidewalk, showing off his new daughter. And of course, everyone took photos with their phones.
"He helped deliver the baby,” Caldora said. “I mean, he was really calm and collected, and sweet as can be."
The unidentified couple was on their way to Logan when the contractions started. They knew they weren't going to make it to a hospital.
“Mom rocked. She was awesome. She popped that baby on the street corner,” Caldora said.
Mom and baby were examined at the curb, both were fine, and then transported to the hospital.
When asked if she’s delivered a baby before, Caldora laughed and said, “I’ve been around a few births of my own, but I’ve never delivered a baby.”
She added, “It was amazing. Crazy.”
Contributing: Viviane Vo-Duc
Email: kmccord@deseretnews.com