An ambulance team stationed at Warwick Camp this morning swung into action after a woman went into early labour.

The Bermuda Regiment Headquarters, where two ambulance crews and nurses were placed in the run-up to Hurricane Gonzalo, received the emergency call around 8.15am that the woman, from nearby Cobbs Hill Road, Warwick, had started giving birth ahead of schedule.

Nurse Shaunne Smith said: “She had a few weeks to go, but she was within the normal range.

“It’s useful being based up here. Everybody’s got their stations and their areas.”

The woman was rushed to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital’s maternity unit.

Regiment Commanding Officer Michael Foster-Brown said: “This is a good example of the kind of facilities the Regiment can offer to the other emergency services.

“With the logistics, equipment and training we have, we’re able to provide support in all sorts of ways, proving the value of a disciplined and well-organised force.

“We’ve always said we’re the Island’s insurance policy — over the next few days the people of Bermuda will be cashing it in.”

Col Foster-Brown noted the Royal Navy’s HMS Argyll and its crew of more than 180 sailors plus a Lynx helicopter was steaming towards Bermuda, with up to 90 sailors potentially to be based at Warwick Camp to help with storm recovery.

Col Foster-Brown said: “The helicopter can project forward 200 miles and could arrive in Bermuda on Saturday, with Argyll following on Sunday.

“Regiment soldiers have trained in aircraft operations on overseas deployments and it will be a very useful addition for things like damage reconnaissance of the Island and casualty evacuation if necessary.”