Baby born in Grimsby car park nicknamed 'Car Park Charlie'

Charlie was born in an ambulance outside a Premier Inn after heavy snow

Charlie is thought to be Premier Inn Grimby's youngest ever guest
Author: Liam Arrowsmith, Julie CastonPublished 15th Feb 2021

A baby has been born safely in a car park in Grimsby- after heavy snow stopped his parents from getting to the hospital.

Charlie Smith was born in an ambulance outside the Premier Inn Grimsby after his parents, Harriet Hanson and Adam Smith, checked-in to the hotel rather than make the 45-minute journey home to Skegness, in Lincolnshire.

They say the decision not to carry on through the heavy snow may have been "critical" to his safe arrival.

Ms. Hanson started having contractions after being sent home from the hospital in Grimsby where she was planning to give birth.

With heavy snow falls settling on the roads, the couple made the decision to stay close to the hospital and called the Premier Inn, where night team staff member Mike Krofchak confirmed that they could stay.

When Ms Hanson's waters broke, Mr Krofchak helped the couple by calling 999.

Charlie's parents believe the decision to stay at the hotel may have been "critical" to his safe arrival

The group were told they may need to prepare to deliver the baby themselves but paramedics arrived and Ms Hanson was taken to the waiting ambulance, where baby Charlie was delivered at 12.29am on February 8, weighing 8lb 3.5oz.

A Premier Inn spokeswoman said that baby Charlie is believed to be the hotel chain's youngest-ever guest and they are looking forward to welcoming the family back with a complimentary stay to show him where he made his surprise entry into the world.

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