A TODDLER was dramatically rescued from a hot car yesterday after being left alone for an hour in 25C heat.
The youngster was heard crying inside the locked Nissan X-Trail in an Essex car park by a worried passer-by.
Fire crews spoke to a woman - thought to be the boy's mum - after pulling the boy from the hot car - Credit: SWNS:South West News Service
The youngster was in distress after being left in the car for over an hour - Credit: SWNS:South West News Service
Firefighters managed to pull the 18-month-old from the 4x4 after s*mashing a window - Credit: SWNS:South West News Service
Firefighters eventually pulled the 18-month-old from the 4x4 at around 4.30pm by s*mashing a window.
A parking ticket for The Common car park in Saffron Walden indicated he had been in the car for more than an hour as temperatures rose.
Witness Cheryl Thomas, 42, said: "It was unbelievable. We were all enjoying a day out and suddenly they announced this crying little boy had been left inside a hot car.
"We could see the car park from where we were and everyone looked over to see paramedics outside the car, frantically trying to get in.
"Everyone was looking round for a parent rushing over but no-one came. We couldn't believe it when ten minutes later there was still no sign of anyone.
"It was such a hot day, we actually got sunburn while we were out there so that poor little boy must have been in such distress.
"It brings me to tears thinking about what he must have been going through."
He was crying and distressed when a woman - thought to be his mum - returned with another young boy.
'IT WAS UNBELIEVABLE'
The toddler was passed to her and they were ushered into the back of a waiting ambulance for the boy to be assessed by a St John's Ambulance crew.
Police officers later spent more than half an hour speaking to the woman in the back of the emergency vehicle.
Mum-of-two Cheryl, an accounts manager, said: "The firefighters did an amazing job getting him out, they worked so quickly.
"Then this woman just appeared from nowhere. No-one realised she was the boy's mum to begin with as she didn't seem to show any emotion over what was happening.
"She had another little boy with her, who was older and holding her hand. We just couldn't understand why you would take one child out with you and leave one in the car for so long.
"Who knows where she had been or what she was doing. She didn't have any bags with her, just a big handbag, so whether she'd popped to a shop or not, I don't know.
"To leave your child for a minute is too long though, let alone an hour."
It's understood the woman was later allowed to leave with the children in the car, as witnesses described seeing her drive away.
Saffron Walden Fire Station posted a picture of the s*mashed window on social media and said: "Well a first for us! We have been called to animals locked in cars while the owners go shopping but never a child.
"We cannot stress enough how dangerous it is to leave any person, child or animal locked in a car in this heat.
"The child was rescued by our crew who s*mashed a window to gain entry.
"The incident has now been handed over to Essex P*olice for further i*nvestigation.
"First aid was given by St John Ambulance crew."
An Essex P*olice spokeswoman said: "Officers attended as firefighters b*roke into the car and were joined shortly after by the child's relatives.
"A referral has been made to social care."
According to Child Safety Europe, car temperatures can rise 10 to 15 degrees every 15 minutes and hyperthermia can occur in minutes, while most d*eaths happen within just two hours.
Heat stroke is a form of hyperthermia when the body temperature elevates dramatically, and can be fatal.
At just 22C outside, in a car it can reach a d*eadly 47C within an hour.
The woman thought to be the boy's mum carried him from the car park - Credit: SWNS:South West News Service
Saffron Walden Fire Station posted a picture of the s*mashed window on Facebook - Credit: SWNS:South West News Service
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