Right: Happy parents Mel Coulton and David Howarth with ‘miracle baby’ Teisha Lee, born just hours after her mum was in a car crash near Pakenham. By Paul Dunlop
A BABY born the same day her mum was in a horror car smash has been hailed a miracle.
Little Teisha Lee was welcomed into the world just hours after her mother was taken to hospital amid fears for her unborn child’s life.
Mel Coulton was on her way to do some shopping in Pakenham on Saturday when her car was one of three vehicles involved in a crash on a notorious section of HealesvilleKooweerup Road.
Emergency workers who attended the crash scene said it had the potential to be a major tragedy.
A young boy was airlifted to The Alfred with chest pains and the driver of one of the other cars suffered a broken foot.
Ms Coulton’s car is believed to have rolled a number of times before landing on its roof after the headon smash.
The shock of the crash sent the 39week pregnant Nyora woman into labour.
She was taken to Dandenong Hospital where doctors performed an emergency caesarean section.
Her baby daughter was born safe and well less than three hours after the crash.
Relieved partner David Howarth told the Gazette yesterday that he and Mel were still coming to terms with what had been a roller coaster ride of emotion over the last few days.
“It’s still only now sinking in,” Mr Howarth said.
“It’s just unbelievable to think I could have lost them both and we’ve now got a beautiful baby daughter. It’s a miracle really.”
Mr Howarth paid tribute to a passerby, Pakenham man Paul Eades, who arrived on the scene moments after the crash and stayed with Ms Coulton to support her on the trip to hospital.
Mr Howarth said Mr Eades was a hero.
“It’s people like Paul that give you confidence in human nature,” Mr Howarth said.
Mr Eades said he had been returning from a trip to Lang Lang with his family when he was confronted by the crash scene, which he described as a “horrendous sight”.
Trained in first aid, Mr Eades said he saw it as his duty to provide what help he could before emergency crews arrived.
Mr Eades remained with Ms Coulton who was conscious but in shock.
He called Mr Howarth, who was at work in Lang Lang, to tell him the news.
“I just wanted to make sure she was okay,” Mr Eades said.
Mr Howarth said he was still pinching himself and was thrilled that the incident had not been the tragedy it could have been.
“I freaked out a bit but thankfully it all ended well,” Mr Howarth said.
“I just sprinted to my car and started driving. I tried to stay calm and got myself to Dandenong. I was able to be there to cut the umbilical cord.”
