A baby boy was born in a KFC car park in Worcestershire after his parents realised they would not reach hospital in time, giving the newborn an unusual story and a playful nickname.
Katie Murphy, 33, and her partner Stephen Kirby, 32, had visited hospital earlier on August 29 after Katie began experiencing contractions. They were sent home around 4 pm after being told it was still too early for the baby to arrive.
Couple races back to hospital
Later that evening, Katie’s contractions became increasingly intense. At around 9 pm, the couple set off for the hospital, which was about 30 minutes away.
Halfway through the journey, Katie told Stephen she could feel the baby coming. While speaking to emergency services, Stephen spotted the KFC restaurant in Bromsgrove that the couple regularly visited and pulled into its car park.
Within moments, baby Cody was born in the car. Stephen managed to catch his son just before paramedics arrived about five minutes later.
‘Colonel Cody’ becomes his family nickname
Cody was born at 9.35 pm weighing 7 lb 8 oz and was reported to be healthy and doing well.
The unusual location of his birth inspired his parents to give him the nickname “Colonel Cody”, referring to Colonel Harland Sanders, the founder associated with KFC.
Katie joked that the nickname could stay with him for life and said the family has already decided to take Cody back to the restaurant for his first birthday.
A KFC spokesperson also sent the family good wishes, along with merchandise and vouchers to celebrate the unusual arrival.
For the family, what began as a stressful journey to hospital has become a memorable story they expect Cody to share for years to come.