Unborn baby died after 12-mile dash between maternity units

AN angry mother demanded answers yesterday after her unborn baby died following a 12-mile dash in the family car between maternity units when officials allegedly told her there was no ambulance available.

Health officials have ordered an investigation into the death of Olivia Harrison, who died on the day Bishop Auckland General Hospital’s new low-tech maternity unit opened, after her heart rate increased alarmingly.

Her father Dean, 29, drove his distressed wife Andrea to a more hi-tech maternity unit in Darlington after the couple said they were told it would be quicker than waiting for an ambulance.

At that stage, Mrs Harrison was merely “excited” and still believed there was no immediate danger and thought her baby was going to be induced at Darlington.

The mother of two, who lives in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, midway between the two units, believed Olivia died during the hectic journey.

The 30-year-old said today: “I am absolutely grief-stricken, I have lost a daughter I was so looking forward to having.

Her husband, a bus driver, was “distraught”, while sons Alex, three, and nine-year-old Elliot were struggling to understand why their sister died. Olivia, who died on May 6, was buried last week and an emotional family funeral was held last week.

Mrs Harrison, who has an underactive thyroid, said she was reassured during her pregnancy that Olivia was healthy. She chose to have her third child at Bishop Auckland General Hospital as it had a new maternity unit which she thought would be well-equipped.

She said she had no idea there would be any complications with her third child until a community midwife reported Olivia had a high heart rate on the morning she died.

Upon arriving at Darlington, staff immediately prepared her to give birth by Caesarean section but Olivia was already dead.