A Welsh doctor helped a woman give birth to her severely-premature baby during a nine-hour flight to India.
Inshad Ibrahim, who works in Wrexham Maelor Hospital's emergency department, was asked to step in when the woman - who was seven months pregnant - started experiencing immense pain two hours into the journey.
After examining her he could see that her waters had broken and told the cabin crew that a medical emergency was unfolding thousands of feet in the air.
"The cabin crew turned an area which they normally prepare the food in into a delivery room for us with pillows and clothes," said Inshad, who was assisted by other medically-trained volunteers on board the plane.
"When we examined her, half the head of the baby was already out. The baby was very small but she wasn't making a sound, so I tapped his back and after about 15-20 seconds he opened his eyes and cried. The was a very long 15-20 seconds."
The baby was named Shawn Michael and weighed just 2lbs 4oz as he was so premature. Fellow passengers gave their clothes to the newborn to keep him warm.
Inshad, who was travelling to Kochi, South India, for a holiday with his wife and two children aged just three and six months old, added: "The baby seemed okay, good blood flow and sucking reflex, but we still had seven hours to go before reaching our destination.
"The pilot asked whether I could look after her during that time, but the baby needed neonatal care urgently, so I asked if we could land at a nearby airport as I couldn't guarantee their help would be okay until we got to India.
"We did an emergency landing in Frankfurt and the mother, her husband and baby were rushed to the hospital from there.
"It was an amazing experience, a celebratory moment for all the passengers. Everyone was so happy and excited. We all consoled and helped her husband too, and passengers helped my wife with our two children during the flight too. We became like close family."
Inshad, who worked over Christmas in A&E at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, was told that the baby stayed in Frankfurt hospital for a month and has only recently returned home.
To get the latest WalesOnline newsletters emailed to you directly for free click here.
