Mother Gives Birth In Tent At Westside Homeless Camp. Newborn Rushed To Hospital By AMR and MFD

MANCHESTER, NH - Manchester Fire, and AMR Ambulance were dispatched to Electric Street for a pregnancy problem Monday.

Truck 6 personnel arrived at about 12:30 a.m. and encountered a female patient who stated she had given birth prematurely in a wooded area near the baseball field adjacent to the West Side Arena.

AMR arrived on the scene shortly thereafter and began patient care for the mother and Truck 6 personnel began a search for the newborn. Assistance was requested from the Manchester Police Department who responded to the scene.

Additional MFD manpower was requested and Engine 6 was dispatched at 12:59 a.m. Manchester Fire and Police conducted an extensive search of the area for approximately one hour. The search was hampered by inconsistent information until it was learned the baby was located in a tent on the west side of the trestle that crosses the Piscataqua River at Electric Street.

Crews located the newborn, who was found uncovered, on the floor of tent. Resuscitation efforts. Resuscitation efforts were initiated and the infant was brought to the nearest emergency apparatus, Engine 6, where efforts were made to provide warmth and assist with breathing.

The newborn was transported to the Catholic Medical Center, in Manchester, in Engine 6 with MFD and AMR personnel on board. The mother was transported in ALS2 to Elliot Hospital.

The mother, Alexandra Eckersley, 26, was arrested on an unrelated warrant out of Concord District Court for Endangering the Welfare of a Child and was subsequently charged with Felony - Reckless Conduct in connection with this recent incident.