Mumbai: Commuter helps woman deliver baby on local train, doctor pal guides him over video call

MUMBAI: What was meant to be an ordinary late-night local train ride turned into an unforgettable life-saving moment when Vikas Bedre, a 33-year-old cinematographer, helped deliver a baby boy on board — guided only by his doctor friend over a video call.

The incident unfolded shortly after midnight when Ambika Jha, 24, a resident of Virar, went into labour while travelling to BYL Nair Hospital. The train had just left Goregaon station when she began experiencing intense contractions. Her relatives immediately pulled the alarm chain, and the train halted at Ram Mandir station, where the dramatic delivery took place.

Bedre, who happened to be in the same compartment, quickly rose to the occasion. "I was on my way to the airport from Andheri and boarded the train at Goregaon. As soon as it left the station, I heard cries of pain. I pulled the alarm chain and, seeing no medical help around, called my doctor friend Dr Divya Deshmukh, who guided us over a video call," Bedre recalled.

Following her instructions, Bedre and a few co-passengers sterilised a pair of scissors by heating it before using it to cut the umbilical cord. The baby boy was safely delivered at 12.15am on Oct 15. The mother and child were later shifted to a nearby hospital in an ambulance arranged from the station.

Ambika's nephew, Prince Mishra, said, "Her doctor at Nair Hospital asked us to come as soon as she went into labour. We boarded the train from Virar around 11 pm, but the pain suddenly increased near Goregaon. We are grateful to Vikas for stepping in — he truly saved the day."

Both mother and child are reported to be in good health. A video of the impromptu delivery, captured by fellow passengers, has since gone viral, earning Bedre widespread praise on social media for his calmness and courage under pressure.

One user, Rupal Das, commented on X: "People like him are the beacon of humanity. Great job, brother — great job."

Many hailed Vikas as a hero for his quick thinking and bravery. In the viral clip, he is heard telling people who gathered around to congratulate him, "I was actually scared but just followed what the doctor asked me to do."