A child dubbed the “Christmas baby” was born on Philadelphia’s Market-Frankford subway train when his mother suddenly went into labor.

A group of passengers crowded around the woman and tried to help her relax and take breaths as they called 911, NBC 10 reported.

Two transit police officers were called in and helped deliver the baby boy after the woman’s waters broke.

Medics arrived and the mother and baby were taken to Hahnemann University Hospital, where they are in good condition.

Police Sergeant Daniel Caban told NBC TV he had been hoping for a quiet day at work but the baby’s arrival had been “just a blessing”.

The chief executive of Philadelphia’s public transport system tweeted that the baby’s fare had been waived.

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