LOCAL NEWS — Chris and Lacey Ray of Lynchburg were en route to Centennial Medical Center on the interstate to deliver, when their baby boy decided to have a mind of his own. Lacey’s contractions began to quicken, and her husband, Chris, smartly pulled over and called 9-1-1 to explain the situation. Within seconds, medics from Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services (RCEMS) were dispatched to the scene.

As they arrived, Lacey told them she was already beginning to feel the baby’s head. With Lacey’s being a high-risk pregnancy, medics suggested a closer hospital as a safer option and the couple agreed.  Paramedic Brandon Smith jumped into the back of the ambulance with them and they were on their way.

As the team pulled into Stone Crest Medical Center, Lacey delivered her baby boy … in the back of the ambulance! Emergency room doctors were standing by to care for mother and child. Both were later transferred to Centennial Pediatric for further care. Everyone is now doing fine.

According to Rutherford County officials, the couple, who work for Jack Daniels Distillery, wanted to be reunited with the first responders and dispatcher that assisted them with the healthy delivery of their bundle of joy, so the distillery and Moore County Emergency Medical Services (MCEMS) coordinated with RCEMS to host the event.

“RCEMS was given a warm welcome and the family was excited to meet the team,” said Paramedic Brent Carter. “Only this time in a more calm and relaxed atmosphere. This is no different than any other day on the job but it’s nice to visually see the difference you have made in the lives of others through these types of events.”

The group enjoyed lunch at Miss Mary Bobo’s and the team comprised of paramedics Chris Reed and Brandon Smith, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Meg Shirley, and Dispatcher Suzie Cunningham also received gift baskets as a token of gratitude. •

{The Lynchburg Times is an independently owned and operated newspaper that publishes new stories every morning. Covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}