A cool-headed dad delivered his baby daughter at home - using one hand after he broke a thumb.
Rhys Darby, 28, leapt into action after partner Jade Brown, 24, went into labour in the middle of the night.
Their little girl Ariana arrived so quickly that her dad caught her in his right hand - while he was juggling towels and a phone.
His left arm was in plaster after he broke his thumb in three places playing football.
Rhys told an ambulance crew "I've done your job for you" before they cut Ariana's umbilical cord and took mother and daughter to hospital.
Back home in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, Rhys, who works in customer services, said: "I had the cast on one hand and a phone in the other - trying to deliver a baby!
"I was running around trying to find towels while the woman on the line was trying to give me instructions.
"I bent down and stuck my hand out and the baby just came out. The ambulance arrived two minutes later and they cut the umbilical cord.
"It's funny - Jade was adamant that she didn't want me near the business area during the birth.
"I should have brought my baseball glove, then it would have been fine.
"But it was quite scary."
Receptionist Jade added: "I am so proud of him for delivering her - especially with a cast on his arm. He was amazing during and after the birth and he's an amazing dad to Ariana."
The official time of birth for Ariana, their first child together, was 4:21am on June 19.
"We were lucky," added Rhys.
"I had wanted to do the honour of cutting the umbilical cord but the paramedics said I shouldn't, because of the situation.
"Ariana is a miracle, really." A spokesperson for North East Ambulance Service confirmed a crew attended.
