B.C. toddler dies in hot car, safety questions emerge
Toddler was left in the vehicle for hours, according to police
A 16-month-old boy has died after being left in a hot car.
Police confirmed to Global News on Friday that rescue services were called to a Burnaby address on Thursday evening after reports of a child in distress.
Paramedics and firefighters removed the child from the car, at which time he was rushed to hospital but attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.
Global News reported the boy had been in the car for nine hours.
The afternoon high in the area on Thursday was 28ºC; numerous high temperature records were also broken in the Lower Mainland. Unusually-warm temperatures persisted on Friday, with more temperature records expected to fall.
CBC News reported that both parents were co-operating with the investigation, and neither had been arrested. At a meeting with media Friday afternoon, Chief Supt. Deanne Burleigh called the incident an "extremely tragic event," adding the investigation was still in the early stages.
B.C. Minister of Public Safety is hoping that new technology in cars could save lives, particularly in summer months when temperatures can quickly become dangerous.
Some advocacy groups have called for legislation to require car manufacturers to install sensors and alarms that would prevent drivers from forgetting children in their car.
