MEET little Lukas Robertson – the baby boy who couldn't wait a taxi ride to meet his parents.
Cab driver Bob Meyrick picked up an extra special fare when mum Hayley Lancaster delivered her own baby on the 15-minute journey from her home to the hospital.
When they arrived at the maternity unit at Grimsby's Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital, Lukas was rushed by midwives into the ward carried by Hayley with proud dad, Carl Roberts, by her side.
Hayley said: "The taxi driver pulled in the car park at the hospital outside the maternity unit while my partner rushed inside to get a midwife.
"They all came running out and found Lukas laid on the seat next to me.
"The only reason I knew he was there is because I could hear him crying.
"No one could believe it."
Carl, a market trader in Cleethorpes, called Revells Taxis in Top Town when Hayley's back pain became unbearable.
Thinking she was in slow labour and still two weeks away from Lukas' due date, they thought they had more time before meeting their son.
But when Hayley felt she needed to push, Bob put his foot down.
They spun into the car park at around 10.30am but Lukas had already arrived, weighing a healthy 6.9lb. He joins big sister, Amelia, four.
Bob, 63, who has driven a cab for 25 years, said: "You read about these things happening but you never think it will happen to you. I was totally amazed. I know we have started doing seven-seater vehicles but I didn't know we were doing deliveries too!
"I didn't know she had given birth until her partner checked on her and with that, dropped everything and went running into the maternity hospital.
"I went round to comfort her and then I saw another nurse carrying paperwork and called her over. She was great and took control before the midwives came running over.
"It was great to be a part of it, and amazing to see – but I was shocked it had happened afterwards."
Hayley and Lukas were kept in the hospital for two nights before returning to their home in Elsenham Road, Grimsby.
Hayley added: "We are just so grateful to Bob and all the nurses and midwives for everything they did.
"Bob was great. He rushed us straight to the hospital, taking us down all the short cuts and side streets. And he even let us off the £50 valet charge."
