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Drive-in theater rescues mom in labor with dead car during horror movie

Posted at 2:44 PM, Aug 20, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-20 21:48:15-04

When it comes to babies, drive-in movie theaters have a reputation for helping put couples in a "romantic" mood.  However, that reputation took a twist this past weekend when a woman went into labor while watching the original "The Purge" (a horror movie) at the Transit Drive-In Theater in Lockport.  Making things even more stressful, the woman's car would not start because the battery had gone dead.

"It was code red," laughed owner Rick Cohen, who admits that he was worried the baby was going to be born on the spot.  In addition, the movie was still playing making a rescue in the dark more challenging.

The Transit Drive-in was built in 1952 and has been operated by Cohen's family since 1957.  As to what he was thinking during the rescue, "Hot towels, hot water and hopefully not too big of a mess," laughed Cohen, who has no children or experience in the delivery room.

The owner was able to use a portable battery pack and flashlight to start the car and escort the woman and her very nervous husband safely to the exit.

Social media has also taken a liking to this story with numerous people posting "Congratulations" and wondering if it was a boy or girl?  

"I guess the baby was in a hurry to come see a movie," chuckled Cohen, who is hoping to meet the parents again.  "I wish them the best but would really like to know how they made out," said the drive-in owner.

In the rush to get the couple out of the drive-in and on the way to the hospital, Cohen said he never thought to find out who the parents were and what hospital they were going to.

While he has encountered many things in his years as a drive-in movie operator, Cohen said he has never had a situation where a woman began to give birth - especially during a horror movie.

7 Eyewitness News Reporter Ed Reilly is trying to locate the family and spent the day talking with Rick Cohen about the incident.

 

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