Worcester SAPS officials were lauded for their stellar work in going beyond the line of duty to help a woman in labour.
Worcester SAPS help deliver a baby under a tree
Worcester sector commander Warrant Officer Anneline Fielies was conducting her regular patrol duties, on Tuesday afternoon, completely unaware of the fate she would meet up ahead, on Aan de Doorns Road.
Usually, police officers on patrol provide the necessary visibility to stave off unscrupulous opportunists and, more importantly, to respond quickly to crime alerts in the area.
W.O Fielies, however, was met with a unique distress call when a man approached her vehicle in a panic, “asking her to assist his girlfriend suffering from labour pains.”
In a statement, police spokesperson Captain Frederick Van Wyk noted revealed Fielies’ initial instinct was to contact emergency medical officials, “whilst she cordoned off the area with blankets.”
Time, however, was not on the officer’s side, who, by the way, may have had little-to-no experience in midwifery. Acting purely on instinct, and perhaps, uncanny bravery, Officer Fielies, assisted by her patrol partner Constable Monray Prins, took matters in her own hands and guided the woman to a successful natural birth.
“Moments later, the member delivered a healthy baby boy after which she was assisted by Constable Monray Prins, who was prepared to take off his shirt, in order to cover the new born baby,” Capt. Van Wyk wrote.
Shortly thereafter, the ambulance arrived and the newborn, as well as his mother, were transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment.
The efforts of the police officers were recognised and applauded by Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile.
#sapsWC Worcester #SAPS members went beyond the call of duty, delivering a baby under a tree in Aan de Doorns Road on 15/03. WO Anneline Fielies and Const Monray Prins assisted in delivering a healthy baby boy. #SAPSCares #ServingOurCommunities MEhttps://t.co/zLKdVtTy8M pic.twitter.com/O1wBMSMpWS
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) March 16, 2022