Allison Keeler, RN; Mary Jeanne Joyal, RN; Mary, Elijah and father Justin Riddle

HONESDALE - Little Elijah Riddle was evidently in a big hurry to be born. His mother, Mary and father Justin, were on their way from their Milford home to Wayne Memorial Hospital to give birth, when Mary’s contractions suddenly deepened and the couple pulled into a Citgo gas station in Hawley—quickly. “His head’s out!” Mary told her husband. Then she managed to get out of the car to deliver the baby more safely, free of the constraints of the car seat.

“We heard the baby cry, so we knew he was okay,” said Justin, who called 9-1-1 immediately. Emergency responders told him not to pull the baby free of the umbilical cord; he had to find a clamp or something to tie it off. The gas station owner, Gary Strasser, on the spot found a shoelace and tied the cord as per the emergency responder’s instructions.

“He was really great. He’s going to get some cigars from us!” said a very happy Justin.

“I just ripped that shoelace out of my shoe,” said Strasser, adding, “I saw both my own two children being born but this wasn’t so controlled. I’m still shakin’ hours later!”

The 7 pound-12 ounce baby boy joins an almost 15 month old big brother Finn at home. Finn was in the back seat, and according to his mom, “not phased at all.”

Mary Riddle is surprised and elated at how it all turned out. “I started getting contractions at 6:30 this morning and he was born at 7:30. You hear about unusual births, but so quickly and in a parking lot? It was pretty wild.”

Wayne Memorial nurses, who were prepared for a delivery, were equally surprised. “She showed up with the baby already born,” said Mary Jeanne Joyal, RN, who also praised the mother’s quick response to get out of the car, regardless of who was around. “It was instinct, and she followed it perfectly.”

“We thought about naming him Citgo,” said Mary Riddle jokingly. “We are really grateful, though, to Gary and everyone who helped us. We’ll have a story to tell ‘Eli’ as he grows old.”