Toddler rescued from locked car in Neutral Bay

THE father who left his toddler in a locked car for 40 minutes outside a Neutral Bay unit block thought he had dropped him off and was confused after a “rough night”.

THE father who left his toddler in a locked car for 40 minutes thought he had dropped him off and was confused after a “rough night”.

The boy, 3, was found dehydrated and visibly distressed inside the Kia parked outside a unit block on leafy Powell Street in Neutral Bay about 11.15am

Police officers broke the window of the car to rescue the toddler who is believed to have been inside the vehicle alone for close to 40 minutes, police say.

The distressed child was removed from the car parked outside a unit block.

Police had to smash a window to rescue the child.

His father returned to the apartment complex in the early afternoon.

“It was a rough night,” he said apologetically.

“I went to drop off my kid at the school; he fell asleep in the car. I thought I had dropped him off and I went to work.

“It’s a disaster, I hope that is doesn’t happen to any other parent. It’s your worst nightmare,” he said.

Police seized the car, leaving a note on the family’s door informing them they had neglected to remove their son from the vehicle.

“Call North Sydney Police as your car has been impounded as you left your child in the car,” the note said.

The father of a child that had to be removed by police outside of a Neutral Bay apartment. Picture: Nick Hansen

Without a car, the father was forced to asked journalists if they could give him a lift to the hospital.

The boy was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital where he was treated for mild dehydration, NSW ambulance spokesman said.

Police confirmed that his parents had been located and questioned.

The family’s neighbour Miller Lu said he saw a hand moving inside the car but thought the parents were nearby.

“I just saw an arm moving around ... I don’t know who called (police) but obviously someone did.”

A note that was left by police for the parents.

TAXI HITS YOUNG SIBLINGS IN CROWS NEST

FIVE-DAY HEATWAVE TO HIT SYDNEY

The incident prompted police and paramedics to again warn parents of the potentially deadly consequences of leaving children in cars, especially in summer.

Even on a mild day, the temperature inside a car can reach upwards of 40C, NSW Police said in a statement.

“I recorded the temperature inside a car for some internal research last summer and it reached 78 degrees in just minutes,” NSW Ambulance Chief Inspector Brian Parsell previously said.

“The situation can quickly cause damage to body cells leading to unconsciousness, shock, organ failure and death. Even in milder temperatures, children and babies can get sick very quickly.”

Today is the first day of a heatwave that is expected to last until Monday. Picture: John Grainger

The RACV also says tests show that on a 30C day, the temperature inside a car can rise to 70C in a matter of minutes.

A maximum of 28C was forecast for Sydney today.

The risks of leaving a child locked in a car include:

— being abducted if they are left alone in a car, even if the car is locked.

— On a typical summer day, the temperature inside a car (even with the windows rolled down a little) can quickly rise above 50 to 60 degrees.

— Even on a relatively mild day, the temperature inside a car can get above 40 degrees.

— At those temperatures, children are at great risk for heat stroke, which can lead to a high fever, dehydration, seizures, stroke and death.

— Anyone who sees a child left unattended in a vehicle is urged to contact 000 and help make sure the child gets out as soon as possible.