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ESCANABA - Three Escanaba residents had a scary day last Saturday, not because it was Halloween, but because they were all part of a baby being born in a vehicle without medical help.

"I was scared, nervous," said Crystal Therrian, 20, who quickly gave birth to a healthy 18-inch, 6-pound-8-ounce baby girl at 12:30 p.m. Saturday on her way to OSF St. Francis Hospital.

Newborn Tayler Marie Aho couldn't wait until her mother got to the hospital and decided to be born while en route on North 30th Street. Her dad, Jerry Aho, delivered her in the back seat, and a friend, Nikki White, assisted.

Therrian's labor pains began at home around 9-10 a.m. that morning, she said from her hospital bed Monday. On the way to Marquette General Hospital, White stopped to put gasoline in the van she was driving, recalled Therrian.

"I told them to turn around after we got gas," Therrian said, telling them to go to St. Francis because she wasn't going to make it to her doctor in Marquette.

From M-35, they turned down Danforth Road then went south onto North 30th Street. All it took were the bumpy railroad tracks and the baby decided to be born before her Nov. 18 due date.

Aho said they pulled over onto the side of the road.

"I jumped in the back seat, it came out 'plup' and I caught the baby," he said, holding his hands like he was about to catch a short pass.

After the baby was born, White took over and helped the newborn with the umbilical cord and cleared her nasal passageway. She placed the baby on the mother's chest to keep warm.

"She came out pretty and pink and let out a little squawk," said White, who has three boys herself as well as witnessed other deliveries.

After Aho handed the child to White, he called 9-1-1 on his cell phone and told them a baby was being born "right now." Rampart Ambulance came within minutes.

"They wanted to get her here (to the hospital) quick. They were doing their job," Aho said. "They were way more calm than I was. I was jumpin' up and down outside on the road."

In the meantime, Escanaba Public Safety also arrived at the scene and directed traffic at the corner of North 30th Street and 9th Avenue North.

Therrian, who had no idea police were even there because she was occupied otherwise, said, "I didn't have no doctor so I was nervous. And it was cold outside."

Mom and dad were anxious Monday afternoon to return home where they could introduce the baby to her big brother, Trever Therrian, who is 22 months old.

When asked how little Tayler was doing Monday, Mom replied, "Real good." When asked how she was doing herself, Mom replied, "Tired and sore."

Dad, looking at his first child sleeping in his girlfriend's arms, said, "I'm just happy she made it."

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Jenny Lancour, (906) 786-2021, ext. 143, jlancour@dailypress.net