'Guardian angel' found: Strangers reconnect after 2013 roadside labour

After many years, Rebekah Lawrence turned to Facebook in hopes of finding her "guardian angel". Photo / Supplied

Eight years ago Rebekah Lawrence was in labour on the side of the road when a stranger stopped to help.

Lawrence has now used a story on the Herald website and Facebook to track down the "guardian angel" who stopped to help during that surprise roadside labour.

On February 16, 2013, Maureen Huta was leaving her local Countdown in Homai, South Auckland, when she saw a woman — Lawrence — lying on the ground "on all fours".

8 year ago I was on the side of the road, on the corner of browns road and Russell road in manurewa Auckland in labour...

Posted by Rebekah Lawrence on Monday, February 1, 2021

Huta approached Lawrence and realised she was not okay. Huta stayed with Lawrence and her partner until an ambulance came.

Once Lawrence was in the ambulance, Huta followed Lawrence's partner home where she sprang into action to help pack a hospital bag for baby and mum.

After dropping Lawrence's firstborn off at his grandmother's, the pair made a quick dash to the hospital in the hope of making the birth.

"It's really important to have your support right there for your partner but we just missed by like five minutes," Huta told the Herald.

Huta said it was a "privilege" to be a part of young Tyrell's birth story.

Huta, who know lives in Kawerau, recently received a spiritual reading and decided to do a Google search of "guardian angels" .

That took her to a story the Herald published online in February this year in which Lawrence, who lives in Christchurch, told of her efforts on Facebook to track down the person who helped her.

"I was quite emotional because I knew it was me," Huta told the Herald.

"It sounded like the story that happened eight years ago."

Huta contacted Lawrence and said it was "quite emotional".

"I [have] seen her photo, I knew it was her I felt warmth from it," Lawrence told the Herald.

Lawrence said it was "unbelievable" the pair were able to reconnect.

"It was like looking for a needle in a haystack."

UPDATE WE HAVE BOTH MADE CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER 🥰♥️ Thank you all for the aroha 💕 Just trying to get ahold of...

Posted by Maureen Huta on Monday, April 12, 2021

The pair shared stories and photos, and spoke about now nearly 8-year-old Tyrell.

Although they are in different parts of the country, the pair are certain they will meet again in person.

"I read the story and pinched myself," Huta said.

Tyrell Lawrence-Fidow was born on Feburary 16, 2013. Photo / Supplied

Back in February, Lawrence told the Herald she had had the stranger on her mind for eight years.

"I remember her telling me she'd love to meet this lovely dude when she was calming me down," Lawrence, now a mum of three, said.

After Lawrence gave birth, Huta met baby Tyrell Lawrence-Fidow. As time went on the pair kept in contact, until Huta lost her phone number.

"I did often think about her and what they are up to these days."

Huta says although Lawrence says she's her guardian angel, she likes to think she just did what other women would do if they came across a similar incident.