Catch of the day

Mark Savage and daughter Lucy Savage.

WHEN this little bundle of joy decided to fall into daddy’s arms in a hospital car park, die-hard Latics fan Mark Savage grabbed the nearest thing to hand to help deliver his daughter — an Oldham Athletic football shirt.

The hero dad wrapped new-born Lucy in Latics blue after helping wife Beckie give birth 50 yards short of the maternity unit.

The couple had frantically set off from their Chadderton home when Beckie (28) went into labour. But Mark had to spring into action when little Lucy wouldn’t wait any longer.

He admitted: “I was absolutely petrified. I didn’t know what was going to happen. I thought, if there’s any complications I’m the only one here.

“But Beckie was very calm. I was really proud of her. She asked if Lucy was OK and I said she’s beautiful.

“I’m glad the first thing she ever wore was a Latics shirt — she will definitely be a fan if I have anything to do with it!”

Beckie went into labour at 1.30am on Monday but was advised to wait a little longer before heading to hospital. However, she soon realised her first child was coming quicker than expected.

Mark (31) drove her to Fairfield General Hospital, Bury, while urging her to hold on. But in the confusion, the pair arrived at the wrong entrance and could find no-one to help.

As they approached the correct entrance, poor Beckie could walk no further and Lucy was born on the spot at 6.30am weighing 7lbs 1oz.

Mark added: “She literally fell into my hands and I caught her.

“She was quiet for a little bit, which was very worrying, but then she started screaming and crying, which was a huge relief.”

Knowing he had to keep the precious new-born warm, he said: “I had an Latics shirt on and I was trying to get that off to wrap her.

“I couldn’t get my shirt off and didn’t want to risk dropping her so I pulled it up around her.”

A bus driver stopped and called for help, while a woman in the maternity unit spotted the drama. Midwives then rushed to their aid.

The bus driver took them to the entrance and Mark was able to take his football shirt off and wrap Lucy snugly in it.

“She was a week overdue so we thought she was taking her time but the labour was very quick and took us all by surprise,” said Mark.

Mother and daughter are doing well and are expected home at Mills Hill Road today.

Mark was made redundant from his job as an accounts manager at a kitchen firm but joked: “I might become a midwife now.”

The family wish to thank the bus driver, whose name they didn’t get amid the drama, for his help.