GILL – A baby girl was born Wednesday afternoon on the side of the French King Highway, west of the French King Bridge.

Orange Fire Chief James Young confirmed that the baby was born in the vehicle before emergency responders arrived. The little girl and mother were then transported by Orange Fire Department to Baystate Franklin Medical Center for further treatment.

Gill Police Chief Christopher Redmond said he received a call around noon while on highway duty requesting he follow a vehicle traveling on Route 2 from Orange to Greenfield whose occupant was reportedly in labor.

Redmond and State Trooper Scott Boutell of the Shelburne Falls barracks caught up with the vehicle. Redmond explained that the vehicle pulled over to the side of the road during the escort because they couldn’t make it to the hospital in time for the delivery. Redmond described the scene as “chaotic,” but noted that the baby was born without any apparent complications.

“First there were two (occupants), then there were three,” Redmond said of the vehicle’s occupants.

It’s a welcome change to see life on the French King Highway, he said, especially on the stretch of road where deaths have occurred.

Young explained that Orange EMS would not normally respond to that area, but since they were the closest crew to the scene, they stopped to assist and transport the patients.

“They were in the right place at the right time,” Young said.

Information about the little girl’s name or the condition of the newborn or the mother was not immediately available.

Reach Erin-Leigh Hoffman at [email protected] or 413-930-4231.