Toddlers rescued after being left alone in hot car outside Kent supermarket
Two children aged one and two were left alone by their "doctor parent" in a car outside a Surrey supermarket.
Wednesday 8 August 2018 06:01, UK
Two toddlers had to be rescued from inside a hot car after their "doctor" parent left them alone to pop into a supermarket.
The children, aged one and two, were left inside the car in Morrison's car park in Reigate, at about 12pm on Monday.
They were spotted by members of the public, who then got them out of the car and gave them water to cool them down.
Surrey Police's Reigate and Banstead branch posted on Facebook: "I can't believe I'm posting this.......
"At about midday today in Morrison's car park in #Reigate we were called following concerns for 2 children found in a car alone!
"Thankfully members of the public acted fast and managed to open the doors and remove the 2 children, giving them water and cooling them down. The children were only 1 and 2 years old!
"Whilst we hope this can be considered a one off incident it doesn't distract from the fact that the potential risk is as serious as they come. The outcome of this incident could have been much much worse had action not have been taken.
"This coupled with the fact that the 'parent' was a doctor and the act of leaving pets and children in hot vehicles is all over the public domain in the media etc, it is worrying that this incident occurred in the first place.
"We can't keep reiterating this message enough.
"DO NOT LEAVE KIDS AND PETS IN HOT CARS!!!"
Surrey Police later confirmed the incident in a statement, and said the children had been released by passers-by as well as supermarket staff who were concerned about the rising temperature inside the car.
Sergeant Ross Spanton said: "With temperatures in the 30s, young children and animals must not be left unattended in hot vehicles.
"Temperatures inside vehicles can reach more than 45C (113F) within a very short amount of time.
"Members of the public who observe children or animals in distress or trapped in cars should call the police so we can investigate the circumstances and take appropriate action."