In Durban, South Africa, emergency services and medical professionals were able to accomplish a miracle by rescuing a newborn baby from a storm drain.
The process of removing the baby from the drain took four hours in total, and began when a passerby heard a baby crying and called the authorities.
The rescue's finale was captured on video and shared on Twitter:
The incredible moment a newborn baby girl is rescued from more than seven metres down a storm water pipe. The amazβ¦ https://t.co/SD83PZVcrHβ Bernadette Wicks (Wolhuter) (@Bernadette Wicks (Wolhuter))1549870169.0
Rescue workers were able to chisel into the drain using "a chisel and hammer"a chisel and hammer" and found the crying baby inside, alive. The infant was then flown to nearby Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital where Dr. Timothy Hardcastle treated the child for hypothermia and minor injuries.
WATCH: Durban baby rescued from storm drain a 'miracle' - doctor youtu.be
Against all odds, the baby is now in good condition and recovering healthily in the hospital. Dr. Sibongiseni Dhlomo commented to CNN:
"It's really a miracle that this baby was saved. The doctors have given this baby a clean bill of health, and she will be transferred to another hospital."
@bern_wicks @Heidigiokos @ECR_Newswatch Fighting tears π here. This is both amazing and horrendous at the same time.β Dave (@Dave)1549888533.0
Experts placed the babies age between one and three days. Local residents have named the child Sibanisethu, which means "Our Ray of Light."
@bern_wicks @wendyknowler @ECR_Newswatch How on earth did the baby end up there? ππ³β Lisette Lombard (@Lisette Lombard)1549873074.0
Twitter was grateful to the many people who managed to deliver the baby to safety:
@bern_wicks @barrybateman @ECR_Newswatch How amazing . Well done to the rescue Team.β Lackadaisical Lesley-Ann (@Lackadaisical Lesley-Ann)1549875354.0
@bern_wicks @ECR_Newswatch Well done to the team for saving lifeππβ NDABEnhle Biyela ββ€ (@NDABEnhle Biyela ββ€)1549870879.0
@bern_wicks @ECR_Newswatch SALUTE π©βππ¨βππ¨ββοΈπ©ββοΈπ·ββοΈπ·ββοΈ Fire Dept, Paramedics, Members of the community and all paβ¦ https://t.co/jpeZsd27xlβ TholeπΏπ¦ (@TholeπΏπ¦)1549900010.0
@bern_wicks @ECR_Newswatch Well done to the team, Proud of you guys ππ½ππ½ππ½β Sonnyboy Mndawe (@Sonnyboy Mndawe)1549882974.0
@bern_wicks @ECR_Newswatch well done team . God is truly there up in heaven angels amongst us .β Tisadaro Kahlamba (@Tisadaro Kahlamba)1549881788.0
@bern_wicks @ECR_Newswatch Well done π’. https://t.co/TAO4RXh8L1β Mapato_Ramokgopa (@Mapato_Ramokgopa)1549880987.0
@bern_wicks @ECR_Newswatch Oh Iβm so glad they got her out!! I was so anxious about how this would endβ Yolanda (@Yolanda)1549878213.0
KZN police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele told Times Live that authorities are now searching for suspects of the baby's attempted murder. Hopefully, they will be brought to justice very soon.
@bern_wicks @ECR_Newswatch That child will live to see greater things in life... I hope whoever dumped her in thereβ¦ https://t.co/wJEfP30fheβ My Name Is Not Important (@My Name Is Not Important)1549881573.0