Unusual place

Little Aria was born in an underground parking garage in Vienna

Dad Peter, mom Tanja with Aria and dispatcher Finn

(Bild: Berufsrettung Wien)

Sometimes things happen faster than expected: little Aria chose a rather unusual place to be born. The little girl was born shortly after Christmas in an underground parking garage in Vienna.

Her due date was actually 2 January. But Aria had other plans. In the early morning of December 27, Viennese police officer Peter contacted the Vienna emergency services control center and informed Finn, a dispatcher in training, that his partner Tanja was already having strong contractions. Baby number two was on the way.

Strong contractions in the underground parking garage
The couple had actually planned the trip to the hospital and were already in the underground parking garage in Landstraße when they received the call. But the contractions got stronger and stronger and it seemed impossible to get to the hospital. Dad Peter became the obstetrician.

"To be honest, I was a bit scared at first. But the calm voice of the dispatcher took that away a little. Because I knew we were in good hands," says mother Tanja.

"They did a very good job"
Aria was born at 6.28 a.m. sharp, measuring 51 cm and weighing 3380 grams. The rescue team arrived a few seconds after the first cry. "You did very well, congratulations," Finn congratulated the parents at the end of the emergency call. After an examination and initial treatment, mother and child were taken to hospital.

Three weeks later, there was an emotional reunion between the family and the control center employee. They thanked Finn for his extraordinary work. "The best moment was when I heard little Aria's cries on the other side," said the dispatcher.