A woman whose eldest son was murdered in a gang attack has told how her new-born baby boy arrived at almost exactly the same time as his much-loved older brother. Zoey McGill’s fourth boy, Ralph, arrived at 4.03pm, seconds after Jack Woodley, who died at the age of 18 in 2021.
The new-born will carry 'Jack' as a middle name in memory of his older brother. Zoey McGill (Image: Contributor) Zoey, 37, from Newton Aycliffe, was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital on Thursday, July 18, to be induced but did not give birth for two days as there were complications with the umbilical cord around Ralph’s neck. She said: “I remember asking them what time he had been officially born.
“I had no idea of time as we had been in labour at this point for two days after having to be set off early due to complications “I reached into my handbag and got Jack’s hospital tag and could not believe they were born with seconds difference. “Everyone in the room cried their eyes out it was such an emotional time.” Little Ralph Jack sleeping peacefully (Image: Contributor) Ralph, who weighed 7lbs and 13oz, was delivered using forceps.
Zoey said she could not thank the staff on the labour ward enough. She said: “They had all followed Jack’s case and were so loving. “Even the trainees were crying and it was obviously a first for them seeing such trauma but a learning experience.
“I don’t think our NHS staff are given enough credit for the trauma they deal with day in day out.”.