A WOMAN in Philadelphia got an unexpected holiday surprise on the subway when she went into labor, delivering a healthy child dubbed the “Christmas baby.”

    The woman was on a train on Christmas Day in central Philadelphia in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania when her water broke. Two transit police officers were urgently called to the train.

    The officers helped the woman deliver as fellow passengers looked on, and one transit worker was photographed leaving the train with the baby wrapped in clothes.

    Sergeant Daniel Caban said he was hoping for a quiet day on the job, but the delivery was a “pleasant” surprise.

    His colleague Darrell James said the birth made for a great Christmas.

    “Everything just happened so quick, but it was amazing,” he said. “This is the best Christmas I ever had.”

    The mother and child were immediately taken to hospital and are doing well. The officers have also recovered from the emotional experience.

    (SD-Agencies)