Chilean toll booth delay leads to roadside childbirth

emergency childbirth toll booth dispute Biobío Region concessionaire protocols medical emergency

A woman in active labor gave birth inside a vehicle on the Ruta Interportuaria in Chile's Biobío Region after being delayed at a toll booth. The family, traveling from Penco to Hospital Las Higueras in Talcahuano, reportedly faced a 10 to 15-minute delay because they lacked the 2,500 Chilean pesos in cash required for the toll.

The father, Dylan Nova, stated that the toll worker refused to lift the barrier despite the medical emergency, even when he offered to repay the fee later. The family eventually secured the cash from another motorist, but the baby, Julieta Isidora, was born prematurely at 35 weeks shortly after they passed the booth. The infant and mother are reported to be in stable condition.

The incident has sparked political backlash and calls for investigations. Deputy Coca Ñanco has formally requested an inquiry from the Ministry of Public Works (MOP) regarding the concessionaire's emergency protocols, noting that current regulations often prioritize official emergency vehicles over private citizens in medical crises. The highway concessionaire has issued a public apology and announced an internal investigation into whether established emergency procedures were followed.

Entities

Camila · Dylan Nova · Hospital Las Higueras · Ministerio de Obras Públicas · Penco · Ruta Interportuaria · Talcahuano

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] A driver from a following vehicle provided $5,000 CLP to cover the toll. diarioelranco.cl · www.atacamanoticias.cl
[● 3 SOURCES] The family spent 10 to 15 minutes at the toll booth attempting to resolve the payment issue. diarioelranco.cl · www.atacamanoticias.cl · www.elperiscopio.cl
[● 3 SOURCES] The baby was born inside the vehicle while traveling from Penco to Talcahuano. diarioelranco.cl · www.atacamanoticias.cl · www.elperiscopio.cl
[○ 1 SOURCE] The toll concessionaire apologized and launched an internal investigation into emergency protocols. diarioelranco.cl
[● 2 SOURCES] The infant was born at 35 weeks of gestation. diarioelranco.cl · www.atacamanoticias.cl
[○ 1 SOURCE] The newborn weighed 2.98 kilograms and measured 49 centimeters. diarioelranco.cl
[● 3 SOURCES] The toll required a payment of $2,500 CLP. diarioelranco.cl · www.atacamanoticias.cl · www.elperiscopio.cl