MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. – A Macomb County man is being credited for saving the life of a newborn after he was flagged down by a hysterical father near Garfield and 22 Mile Roads in Macomb Township March 16.
21-year-old Ryan Cornelissen said he was driving down the road, on his way to the bank, when he was flagged down by a frantic driver.
On the 9-1-1 tapes Cornelissen can be heard telling the dispatcher, "A guy stopped me, I think something's wrong with his wife. He doesn't speak very good English. He stopped me on the side of the road."
Cornelissen said, "The mom was sitting in the front seat, she had a blanket and all I saw was the top of the baby's head."
It turns out the man and his wife were on the way to the hospital to have a baby. They didn't make it in time and the woman gave birth in their car. The new dad flagged Cornelissen down after the couple discovered the baby wasn't breathing.
Cornelissen said, "The mom was sitting in the front seat, she had a blanket and all I saw was the top of the baby's head."
The 9-1-1 dispatcher walked Cornelissen through how to give the infant CPR.
"Oh, yes! The baby is whimpering," Cornelissen said after several minutes of performing CPR. "He's breathing!"
Cornelissen said, "I remember the baby's face. I will never forget."
The baby is doing fine but will stay in the hospital for several weeks.
Cornelissen is a Macomb County Community College student who wants to become a police officer. He may be waiting for the badge, but he is already protecting and serving.