A young couple have thanked the paramedic who saved their baby's life after she was born on their toilet floor.

Lisa and Rawdon Etchells, of Branksome Road, Southend, have given their daughter the second name Shauna in honour of the lifesaving medic, Shaun Dutton, who arrived in the nick of time.

The baby arrived early, with her umbilical cord wrapped round her neck which left her unable to breathe.

Paramedic supervisor Shaun, 31, loosened the cord while finishing the delivery and then gave the baby the kiss of life.

He said: "After a minute or so the baby started breathing on her own, she started pinking up and we rushed her into hospital. I have delivered babies before but I have never had to give mouth to mouth.

"You just get on and deal with it at the time but I am quite proud of myself now. I am dead chuffed as well, it is the first time I have had a baby named after me."

Office clerk Lisa, 29, and 32-year-old forklift driver Rawdon also have a four-year-old daughter Toni-Ellen. Lisa said: "It came as a bit of a shock, Toni-Ellen took 12 hours of back pain and then 13 hours of contractions, and this took two hours. Shaun was brilliant."

Rawdon and Lisa have yet to give their baby a first name, although work colleagues' suggestions include Armitage Shanks and Lulu.

A big thank you - paramedic Shaun Dutton with the new born baby and the rest of the Etchells family

Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

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