A newborn baby's life was saved after emergency operators guided her parents through vital first-aid steps when she was born in a car and failed to breathe on the way to hospital in Puerto del Rosario.

The incident happened when a 29-year-old woman, who was 38 weeks pregnant, went into labour while travelling to hospital. After giving birth inside the car, she realised her baby was not breathing or crying and immediately called the Canary Islands emergency service, 112.

According to the Canary Islands Health Department, a medical coordinator from the Canary Islands Emergency Service (SUC) provided telephone instructions to the parents while they were still in the car.

The coordinator explained how to clear the baby's mouth and safely position the newborn before stimulating her back. The baby responded almost immediately, letting out a strong cry, a key sign that she had started breathing properly.

As the family were only minutes away from the hospital and did not have specialist medical equipment available, the instructions focused on helping clear excess amniotic fluid from the baby's airway and encouraging her breathing reflex.

Emergency operators remained on the line, continuing to monitor both mother and baby while guiding the parents on how to keep the newborn warm and comfortable during the journey.

Hospital staff had already been alerted to the situation before the family arrived. Both mother and baby were admitted in a good overall condition.