GILL — A baby girl was born on the side of the French King Highway on Wednesday afternoon just west of the French King Bridge.

Orange Fire Chief James Young confirmed that the baby was born in the vehicle prior to the arrival of emergency responders. The baby girl and mother were then taken by the Orange crew to Baystate Franklin Medical Center for further care.

Gill Police Chief Christopher Redmond said he received a call around noon while on highway duty to follow a vehicle heading from Orange into Greenfield on Route 2 with an occupant reported to be in labor.

Redmond and State Trooper Scott Boutell from the Shelburne Falls barracks caught up to the vehicle. Redmond explained that as the escort was in progress, the vehicle pulled to the side of the road as they could not make it to the hospital in time for delivery. Redmond described the scene as “chaotic,” but observed that the baby was born with no obvious complications.

“At first there were two [occupants], then there were three,” Redmond said about the vehicle occupants.

It was a welcome change of pace to see a life welcomed on the French King Highway, he said, especially in the stretch of road where fatalities have happened.

Young explained that normally Orange EMS would not respond to this area, but being the closest crew to the scene, they stopped to assist and transport the patients.

“They were in the right place at the right time,” Young said.

Information on the name of the baby girl or further condition of the newborn or mother was not immediately available.

Erin-Leigh Hoffman can be reached at ehoffman@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.