A toddler had to be rescued by firefighters yesterday after he was left alone in a hot car for over an hour.
A worried passer-by called emergency services at around 4pm after spotting the boy crying from inside the parked Nissan X-Trail over in Essex.
The 18-month-old had been left alone 'for more than an hour' despite temperatures in the area reaching 25 degrees. The time was indicated by a parking ticket stub on the dashboard of the car.
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Witness Cheryl Thomas told The Sun: "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.
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"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."
Firefighters turned up to the scene around ten minutes later, confirmed a spokesperson for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, before smashing the window of the car and pulling the crying child from out of the vehicle.
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By this point the tot's mum returned with another child, where they were all ushered to a nearby St John Ambulance crew who ensured the boy was okay.
Meanwhile, the incident was reported to Essex Police, who spent around half an hour speaking to the mum before all three were allowed to go home.
"The firefighters did an amazing job getting him out, they worked so quickly," added Cheryl.
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"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."
Saffron Walden Fire Station posted a picture of the smashed window on social media, using the incident as a warning to others not to leave any living being inside of a car during such hot weather.
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Even if it's 22 degrees outside, inside of a car it can reach a potentially fatal 47 degrees in just an hour.
They 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 smashed a window to gain entry.
"The incident has now been handed over to Essex Police for further investigation."
"First aid was given by St John Ambulance crew."
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