PHILADELPHIA -- Two transit police officers who helped deliver a Christmas baby on a subway train reunited with the newborn boy and his parents Friday morning.
Sgt. Daniel Caban and officer Darrell James -- who joined the delivery-in-progress shortly before 6 p.m. Thursday -- arrived bearing gifts, including a Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority stuffed train.
Passengers on the eastbound Market-Frankford train said the officers helped coach the woman, identified Friday as Yanjin Li, through the delivery, removed the umbilical cord from the boy's neck and placed him in her arms. The baby's father wrapped him in a shirt to keep warm.
Passenger Ashley Dorsey, who aided in the birth, said the woman's water broke as the train headed for the 15th and Market streets station.
Once at the station, passengers stood in the doorway to prevent the doors from closing and to get the attention of the train engineer. Word of the impending birth spread to Caban on the sidewalk above. James, across the station on the westbound platform, heard Caban's radio call and ran over.
Transportation Authority police Chief Thomas Nestel III tweeted his excitement over the birth, writing: "Transit Police SGT and PO deliver baby on Market Frankford El train!!!! WOOHOO!!! Now that's a Christmas gift!!!"
Later, the chief joked that he had waived the fare for the authority's "newest rider."
Mother and child were reported in good condition Friday at Hahnemann University Hospital.
A Section on 12/27/2014