Medics are baffled after an unborn baby was apparently “ejected” from the womb of his mother during a fatal motorcycle crash.
The little boy’s parents were on their way to hospital to deliver him in Xiamen, southeast China’s Fujian Province.
Both Mao Zhau, 42, and 40-year-old Wang Zhau who was in labour, were killed when their vehicle was struck by a truck.
Baby Xiao Zhao survived the crash with just scratches
Following the accident, passers-by discovered the baby at the side of the road near to Wang after apparently being “ejected” from her womb.
The newborn, who has since been named Xiao Zhao, was rushed to hospital where checks discovered he had sustained only minor injuries.
“Eye-witnesses said that when the woman was hit by the truck she gave birth on the spot,” said police spokesman Chan Chien in comments reported by the Mirror.
“Others said that the baby, which was a healthy 4.2kg, had been thrown out of the woman’s belly and had landed three meters away,” he added.
Mao's younger brother told Rex Features: "They wanted to wait for the bus to the hospital, but the bus didn't come for a long time. So my brother rode his motorbike.”
The driver of the truck has been detained by police. The Independent writes strangers have been giving gifts and donating money to the orphaned child.