A four-month-old baby has been freed from a vehicle by police after a faulty system self-activated, locking the mother out.
The mother had placed the baby boy in a child seat in the back of the vehicle at Vineyard about 2.20pm on Monday, October 15, Hawkesbury police said in a statement.
“Once satisfied all was in order, she reached over and placed the car keys on the front seat so she could get to them easily as she moved to the front of the vehicle,” police stated.
“To her horror, upon closing the rear door, the auto locking system activated, causing the baby to be in the car on his own. The woman immediately called for assistance and police were at the scene moments later.
“Although the ambient air temperature was in the low twenties, police could see that the baby was distressed and crying. In consultation with the mother, entry was forced by breaking the rear quarter window.”
NSW Ambulance officers arrived and assessed the baby, who did not require any further medical treatment.
“The officer who gained entry sustained a laceration to his forearm and was treated at the scene by ambulance officers and is in a satisfactory condition,” police stated.
“While police were conducting duties in relation to this matter, they heard the auto locking system self activate a number of times, clearly due to a fault.
“While no blame is attributed to the mother, police wish to stress to all who travel with children in motor vehicles to ensure they retain possession of the keys and not to trust automated systems.”
With the approach of warmer weather, the incident was a timely reminder about the risks of children in parked cars, police stated.