A woman gave birth on the side of the highway while being escorted to the hospital by a state conservation officer, according to the Department of Environmental Conservation.

On June 1, Conservation Officer Jon Ryan was driving on state Route 37 in the town of Waddington when he noticed a car behind him in traffic with its hazard lights on.

The car then pulled up behind Ryan’s vehicle and the driver began waving to the officer to pull over, so he did, DEC said.

The man said his wife was in labor and they were on their way to Massena Memorial Hospital. They were not identified in a news release from DEC.

Ryan said he would lead the couple to the hospital to ensure they made it safely.

While en route, the husband again pulled over and jumped from the vehicle, informing the officer that his wife was, “having the baby now!” according to DEC. Ryan then called for an ambulance.

The mother is a physician assistant and was able to self-deliver the baby, DEC said.

“The baby began to cry and the mother indicated that she was not having any complications,” according to DEC. “The Massena Rescue Squad arrived several minutes later and mother and child were loaded into the ambulance, arriving at Massena Memorial Hospital with a good story to tell.”