A Fort McMurray couple is just one of a few handling quite a few changes at the same time – they’re among the tens of thousands of residents evacuated from the area in recent days, all while bringing new life into the world.
On Tuesday, Susan Harty and her fiancé Scott Langenhoff were forced to evacuate from their home in the Timberlea neighbourhood of Fort McMurray as heavy smoke hung in the air – the frightening situation was made all the more tense as Harty was also in the early stages of labour.
“I thought for sure Scott would have to deliver our baby, that’s how I felt,” Harty said Thursday. “I was so panicked, and my family, everyone was bumper to bumper trying to leave town.”
Harty said she was feeling painful contractions as the couple made their escape, and the couple called 911 from the road.
They headed north to a camp in Noralta – where Harty said nurses assured her she was in good hands.
Harty was then taken by medical convoy to a site in Firebag, where she was airlifted to Edmonton.
After six hours in labour at Edmonton’s Misericordia Hospital, little Deegan Langenhoff was born.
“Despite circumstances, however hard or tragic they may be, there’s always some good that comes out of it,” Harty said. “We’re very lucky all of us got out. Our son was delivered smoothly, with no complications.
“Once I came here I had not a worry in the world.”
A nurse at the Misericordia told CTV News about four babies had been born to parents evacuated from Fort McMurray, at least three others were born at the Grey Nuns Hospital. Meanwhile, a number of pregnant women – many exhausted and dehydrated – have also been assessed at the Misericordia.
As Harty settles in with her little family, she says she’s grateful for where they are now – and how they got there.
“It’s quite a story for when he’s older, so we’re just all happy to be together, we’re very thankful.”
With files from Carmen Leibel
