Baby born outside in plastic sled

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- A Philadelphia couple said their daughter was born in the plastic sled they were using to get to their car in the snow.

Fabian Bonanni said he bought a plastic sled at the store Tuesday in case he and his pregnant wife, Shirley, needed a fast way to get from their house on top of a snowy hill to Fabian's car, which he parked at the base of the hill because it has trouble going up the road in slippery conditions, the Philadelphia Daily News reported Thursday.

Bonanni said his purchase proved wise when Shirley went into labor before 6 a.m. Wednesday and was having trouble walking.

"The contractions went from 10 minutes apart to, 'Oh, she's delivering right now,'" he said. "She couldn't walk; she was going into labor with every step."

The sight of a man pulling his wife down the hill in a bright green sled, along with the pained screams of Shirley Bonanni, drew the attention of neighbors, including George Leader, who lives at the bottom of the hill.

Leader called 911 while Fabian helped Shirley deliver their daughter outside in sub-zero temperatures.

Fabian said he wrapped newborn Bella Sung-Ah Sofia Bonanni in a blanket provided by Leader and ran her back up the hill to his home.

"When I got in, I just shut the door and cranked the temperature," he said.

Fabian's parents arrived on the scene and helped Leader bring Shirley into his living room. Paramedics soon arrived and took the family to the hospital.

"The whole thing is just a blur," Fabian said. "It's so hard to sum up. All I can say is, make sure you always have a sled nearby."