Niurka Roman, a Cuban-born bus driver who has lived in Bologna for three decades, found herself at the center of a heartwarming event that touched all of Italy: she assisted in the birth of a passenger aboard her line 39 bus operated by Tper, on via Saffi, right in front of the city's Hospital Maggiore.
According to the Italian news agency ANSA, the incident began shortly after 9:00 a.m. when a passenger alerted Roman that a woman was in distress. Recognizing the passenger as a 38-year-old Nigerian woman who had boarded at Bologna's central station and was noticeably pregnant, Roman sprang into action.
With three years of experience driving for Tper, Roman quickly asked other passengers to help the woman with her breathing, suspecting it was due to labor contractions. "I'm a mother, so I know what this means," Roman explained. Since the woman didn't speak Italian, Roman instructed those around her to use gestures to guide her breathing.
When a fellow passenger informed her that the woman was undressing and ready to push, Roman made a decisive move: she stopped the bus right in front of the hospital. "A young engineering student on board shouted that the baby's head was already out. That's when I parked in front of the hospital, left my seat, and at that moment, the baby emerged and cried," Roman recounted.
Roman hurried to grab a wrap she used on her seat, swaddled the newborn, and asked the engineering student to hold the baby while she sought more warmth for the infant. Simultaneously, she organized others: instructing someone outside the bus to call emergency services and another passenger to run into the hospital for assistance.
The emergency team arrived swiftly, transporting both mother and her newborn son to Hospital Maggiore, where they were admitted in good health.
The following day, Roman shared her experience with ANSA, describing it as "a hug of humanity." She expressed, "What happened will stay with me forever. I witnessed the support and humanity of everyone present. They assisted me, considering I was driving a bus, and followed my instructions, helping me handle such a significant event," she said.
Roman arrived in Bologna about 30 years ago and secured her position as a bus driver through the "Insieme per il lavoro" employment integration program. This initiative, established in 2017 by the Bologna Municipality, the Metropolitan City, and the city's Archdiocese, aims to provide job opportunities to vulnerable individuals. Since its inception, the program has supported over 5,000 people.
The event was widely covered by Italian media, highlighting its multicultural aspect: the driver is Cuban, the mother is Nigerian, and the passengers who assisted came from various nationalities, symbolizing coexistence and integration. Cubans in Italy, like Roman, often face employment challenges, making her journey all the more remarkable.
"It was truly beautiful, the embrace of humanity we shared to support this birth," Niurka Roman concluded.
Key Insights into the Birth on a Bologna Bus
Who is Niurka Roman?
Niurka Roman is a Cuban-born bus driver who has been living in Bologna, Italy, for three decades. She is known for her recent heroic act of assisting a passenger in giving birth on her bus.
What happened during the bus incident in Bologna?
A pregnant Nigerian woman went into labor on a bus driven by Niurka Roman in Bologna. Roman stopped the bus in front of a hospital and, with the help of passengers, assisted in the delivery of the baby.
How did Niurka Roman respond to the emergency?
Niurka Roman responded promptly by directing passengers to assist with the woman's breathing and stopping the bus in front of the hospital to facilitate the birth and ensure immediate medical assistance.
What is the "Insieme per il lavoro" program?
"Insieme per il lavoro" is an employment integration initiative launched in 2017 by the Bologna Municipality, the Metropolitan City, and the Archdiocese. It aims to help vulnerable individuals find employment opportunities.