New parents who nearly didn’t make it to the maternity department in time have thanked the police duo who got them there - and have named their newborn after the pair.

East Anglian Daily Times: PC James Ireland and Daniel Bellingham both became namesakes of the new baby they helped rush to hospital along the A12 Picture: ESSEX POLICEPC James Ireland and Daniel Bellingham both became namesakes of the new baby they helped rush to hospital along the A12 Picture: ESSEX POLICE (Image: Archant)

PC James Ireland and PC Dan Bellingham, of Essex Police’s Roads Policing unit, were patrolling on the A12 earlier this month when they got caught up in the rush-hour traffic.

Fighting their way towards Chelmsford with hundreds of other road users they saw a man waving for them to stop further ahead.

The man’s wife was in labour and time was off the essence - but with no sign of the traffic clearing it was looking unlikely they would make it to the hospital in time.

PC Ireland knew they had to help the stranded couple and transferred them to the police car. He switched on the blue lights and headed towards the hospital while a family member drove the couple’s car.

PC Bellingham reassured the pair that they would get to the delivery room in time to have the baby - using his own skills as a new father and updated the hospital as the journey proceeded.

Thanks to PC Ireland’s skillful driving, the couple made it to the hospital just 10 minutes before the birth of bouncing baby boy, James Daniel - named after the heroes who saved the day.

New dad Steve said: “We can’t praise James and Daniel enough, they are heroes. We felt that they definitely executed their duties with distinction.

“Despite how tense the situation was for us, the minute we got in the car we felt instantly reassured and that we would make it to the hospital in time without any problems.”

PC James Ireland said: “This was an amazing job for us and we were more than happy to help the couple. We wish them all the best with their new addition.”