Child locked in car at Neutral Bay: police
THE father of a toddler who was rescued from a locked car by police in Neutral Bay on Thursday morning said he thought he had dropped the boy off.
Mosman
Don't miss out on the headlines from Mosman. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE father of a three-year-old boy allegedly left locked in a car for three hours at Neutral Bay on Thursday morning has explained he thought he had dropped his son off before heading to work.
Police were forced to break a window of the Kia, which was parked outside a unit complex on Powell St, to remove the boy, who was found to be mildly dehydrated and visibly distressed.
The boy was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital and was released after observation and treatment.
Police are trying to locate the parents after a boy was allegedly left locked in a vehicle outside a block of units in Neutral Bay. #9News pic.twitter.com/5WVVzQBpUq
— Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) January 18, 2018
The father explained to reporters that he had been through a “rough night”.
“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.
The incident has prompted police to encourage parents and carers to be aware of the risks associated with leaving children alone in a car.
The message is timely with another heatwave forecast for the city.
Police said that on a typical summer’s day the temperature inside a car can rise above 60 degrees even with the windows rolled down.
Children are at risk of heat stroke which can lead to high fever, dehydration, seizures, stroke and death.
There is also a risk of a child being abducted if they are left alone in a car.
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.