Mum-to-be rescued

Mullumbimby RFS members Neville McLean and Leah Ross.

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A HEAVILY pregnant Mullumbimby woman was left stranded as she went into labour when a torrential overnight downpour cut roads.

The mum-to-be and her partner were stuck at their Upper Wilsons Creek home.

Byron Shire State Emergency Service controller Noel McAviney was alerted at 5am by SES headquarters and the midwives at Mullumbimby Hospital.

“It was still dark and raining heavily at that stage so we couldn’t do anything,” he said.

“Her waters had broken and contractions had started.”

At 7.30am Mr McAviney met an ambulance at the first causeway and confirmed the creek was too treacherous to cross. He then called the Rural Fire Service and their 12.5-tonne 4WD truck.

Mullumbimby Rural Fire Service firefighters Nev McLean and Leah Ross arrived soon after, picked up the paramedics and headed up into the hills, arriving at the couple’s house about 10am.

“I think they were pretty happy to see us,” Mr McLean said.

The woman was transferred to the ambulance and arrived without incident at Mullumbimby Hospital about 11.30am.

Mr McAviney called the hospital yesterday to check on mum and was told the labour was progressing well. “We all like to follow up and make sure everyone’s okay,” he said.