Zimbabwean bus driver Pummy Hadebe has been honoured in the United Kingdom after helping deliver a baby on board her McGill’s bus in Glasgow.
The dramatic incident happened on Saturday, November 29, 2025, when a couple boarded McGill’s Service 23 at Nelson Street intending to travel to hospital. During the journey, Hadebe heard unusual noises from the rear of the bus and stopped to investigate.
She discovered that the pregnant passenger was in severe pain and had gone into labour. Hadebe immediately contacted McGill’s traffic control and emergency services. However, she soon realised that the baby was about to arrive before an ambulance could reach the scene.
Remaining calm under intense pressure, Hadebe followed guidance from an NHS telephone operator and helped the woman deliver a baby girl inside the stationary bus. After the birth, she placed the newborn on the mother’s stomach and used a towel from her own bag to keep the baby warm until paramedics arrived.
The mother and baby were later taken to hospital and confirmed to be in good health. A language barrier also made communication more difficult, but Hadebe remained focused on keeping both mother and child safe.
Hadebe’s response was recognised at the Scottish Transport Awards, where she was Highly Commended earlier this year. She has now received further national recognition after being named Frontline Employee and Community Champion of the Year at the UK National Transport Awards in London on October 1.
According to the awards organisers, Hadebe’s previous experience in community care and nursing training helped her remain composed during the unexpected emergency, although delivering a baby was far beyond her normal responsibilities as a bus driver.
Reflecting on the experience, Hadebe said hearing the baby cry was something she would never forget and that her greatest relief was knowing both mother and baby were safe.
McGill’s praised her compassion, presence of mind and professionalism, saying she simply saw passengers who needed help and stepped forward.
