Roshni Lad and husband Bhairav welcome baby boy on side of road

A couple’s frantic dash to the hospital became a nightmare due to protesters on the West Gate Bridge before an “angel” teacher came to their aid and helped deliver the baby.

Teacher Kate Lonsdale helped deliver a baby on the side of the road. Picture: Mark Stewart

A high school teacher has been praised as an “angel” after she helped deliver the son of a Melbourne couple stuck on the side of the road amid an Extinction Rebellion protest on Tuesday.

Roshni Lad was being driven to hospital with husband Bhairav just after 9.30am when they hit the traffic jam on the Ring Road.

Earlier in the day, climate change activists blocked three lanes on the Westgate Bridge, bringing vehicles to a standstill across the city.

The distressed couple, from Tarneit, and a family friend were forced to pull over on the side of the road and were waiting for an ambulance after Ms Lad’s waters broke and her contractions started coming close together.

Roshni Lad with her newborn son at St Vincent’s Hospital.

Two St Columba’s College teachers, Kate Lonsdale and Fiona Trapani, who were travelling on a school bus to a sports event, saw Mr Lad desperately waving from the side of the road and demanded the driver stop and let them out to help.

Ms Lonsdale quickly sprang into action and, with the help of a triple-0 call operator, helped deliver the baby within minutes.

“I was following the lady’s instructions, and I think on the third contraction the baby came out,” she said.

They wrapped the healthy baby boy in a towel to keep him warm while waiting for an ambulance.

Ms Lonsdale was on a school bus driving to a sports event when she noticed Mr Lad desperately waving from the side of the road. Picture: Mark Stewart

Mr Lad said it was the couple’s second child and, although a stressful experience, he was grateful for the help.

“She (Ms Lonsdale) came in like an angel,” he said.

“She took care of my newborn baby and my wife. She took control of the delivery and followed all the instructions of the emergency department very well.

“We are very grateful for her being there.”

Paramedics arrived 15 to 20 minutes later and Ms Lad and the newborn were then taken to St Vincent’s Hospital.

The miraculous delivery was watched by students on the school bus, who were also going to the sporting event.

Ms Lonsdale, who had no prior experience delivering a baby, said she was relieved after learning the newborn was all right once he was checked at the hospital.

“I didn’t really know what I was doing,” she said.

“I just had visions of me being in labour, and all you want is for people to tell you that you’re OK.

“The baby was OK, so I stayed calm and reassured the mum the baby was fine.”

“It was lovely we could help them. The family were very grateful, and we were relieved once we knew both mum and baby were OK.”

Originally published as Roshni Lad and husband Bhairav welcome baby boy on side of road