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A Sikh Indian-origin cab driver in Canada's Calgary, Hardeep Singh Toor, is being hailed as a hero after he braved a severe snowstorm to rush a pregnant woman who was in an advanced state of labour to a hospital. Toor recalled how the woman had given birth to the baby before they could reach the hospital, describing it as the longest day of his life.
Sikh Cabbie Hardeep Singh Toor hailed as hero in Canada for rushing pregnant woman to hospital in snowstorm. (Image: Social Media/Unsplash)
New Delhi,UPDATED: Jan 2, 2026 17:50 IST
A routine duty in Canada's Calgary, on a late night, turned into an extraordinary experience for Indian-origin Sikh cabbie Hardeep Singh Toor. Amid a harsh snowstorm which hit the city, Toor got an urgent call from a dispatcher to get a pregnant woman to a hospital. He braved the adverse weather to reach the woman, who, while being driven to the hospital, delivered a baby girl in the back seat of his cab just moments before reaching the medical facility.\
His prompt action has now earned him praise as a hero.
Reacting to the incident, the people of X lauded Toor, saying, "We need more people like him", and Thank you, Mr". Another person wrote, "That's awesome! Good on him for stepping up."
Retired Indian diplomat Amar Jit Singh said that the "incredible act of Hardeep Singh Toor reflects the true spirit and character of real Sikhs".
"Sewa bhaav is in our DNA. It's pure respect and appreciation for this noble act," Amar Jit Singh posted on X.
According to the Toronto-based channel, CTV News, Toor, who has been driving taxis in Calgary for four years, received an urgent dispatch call late Saturday night last week for a ride to the hospital. When he arrived at the pickup point, he immediately realised the situation was critical. The pregnant woman was in visible pain and could barely walk, supported by her partner as they got into the cab.
"It was a pregnant lady, and her companion was helping her get in. She was in pain," Toor told CTV News.
With temperatures dipping to at least minus 23 degrees Celsius and the roads turning icy and slippery, Toor briefly considered calling an ambulance. However, given the woman's condition, he decided that driving the cab himself was the fastest option.
"Her body language was telling me she did not have the time," he told CTV, and "I decided to drive."
For Toor, the 30-minute journey to the Peter Lougheed Centre felt far longer under the circumstances.
Toor recalled a particularly tense drive, marked by kicking and shouting from the back seat as traffic lights and icy roads tested his nerves. He said he was only focused on getting the couple to the hospital as quickly and safely as possible. Just a few blocks from the hospital, with the building already in sight, the commotion in the back seat suddenly stopped. The baby had been born inside the cab. "I did not stop," Toor told CTV. "I was thinking I should get there as soon as possible to get them to medical attention."
According to CTV, Toor reached the hospital and raced in to alert security that a baby had just been delivered in his taxi. Medical staff rushed out and immediately took over care of the mother and newborn. Hospital staff later informed Toor that both the mother and baby girl were healthy and doing well. The baby's father, Toor said, was overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude.
Reflecting on the experience, Toor described it as a proud and unforgettable moment. "It's my first experience getting two people in and three people out," he said.
Toor said it was the best memory of his life.
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Published On:
Jan 2, 2026
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