A 16-month-old boy is dead after being left in a hot car in Burnaby on Thursday.
According to Acting Burnaby Fire Chief Dave Younger, firefighters were called to the 5600-block of Inman Avenue around 5:20 p.m., to reports of child locked in a vehicle.
Burnaby RCMP says the child was unconscious when first responders arrived. Sources tell Global News the boy was left in the vehicle for nine hours.
According to police, the boy’s father was located at the scene, and both parents are cooperating with the investigation.
WATCH: Burnaby RCMP hold update after toddler dies in hot car
![Click to play video: 'Burnaby RCMP hold update after toddler dies in hot car'](https://i1.wp.com/media.globalnews.ca/videostatic/143/43/2019-05-10T19-30-20.433Z--1280x720.jpg?w=1040&quality=70&strip=all)
“It’s absolutely heartbreaking, it’s a tragedy, it has ripple effects throughout the community,” said Chief Supt. Deanne Burleigh, Officer in Charge of the Burnaby RCMP.
Burleigh said police were in the very early stages of the investigation and canvassing the neighbourhood and could not provide more details about the case.
“As with any tragedy like this, I can’t imagine how the parents are coping. As a parent myself I can’t imagine how I would cope. So we have provided victim services, they are surrounded by friends and family,” she said.
The BC Coroners Service is also investigating. Police said no one has been arrested in the incident.
![For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.](https://globalnews.ca/wp-content/themes/shaw-globalnews/images/skyline/national.jpg)
Get breaking National news
Younger said when crews arrived, paramedics were removing the child from the vehicle.
WATCH: New motion sensor technology could save lives
![Click to play video: 'New motion sensor technology could save lives'](https://i2.wp.com/media.globalnews.ca/videostatic/911/483/TMSBUZZ-HOT%20CARSSTILL-%20AUG01.jpg?w=1040&quality=70&strip=all)
The infant was transported to hospital in critical condition by paramedics, with firefighters assisting with CPR.
BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) said four units, including an advanced life support unit, arrived on scene within four minutes of receiving the call.
WATCH: A baby left in a car can quickly become a fatality
![Click to play video: 'A baby left in a car can quickly become a fatality'](https://i1.wp.com/media.globalnews.ca/videostatic/99/491/GTNH07122016_BABYHEAT_tnb_1.jpg?w=1040&quality=70&strip=all)
“With this kind of weather we’re having, yesterday we had record highs, this definitely wouldn’t be a time to leave your child at all in the car, or an animal, or anything,” said Younger.
“Very scary thing.”
Burleigh said police are pleading with the public not to leave their children alone in their vehicles in the warm weather.
“When you’re transporting your children in a vehicle, please check the vehicle and ensure that you have delivered your child and that they’re no longer in the vehicle when you’re parked and you’ve gone off to do your business for the day.”
WATCH: RCMP warn parents and caregivers of the danger of leaving children in hot cars
![Click to play video: '‘It’s about diligence, vigilance, we all get tired, we’re all exhausted at certain points’: RCMP on the death of toddler in hot car'](https://i1.wp.com/media.globalnews.ca/videostatic/164/39/WEB_BURNABY_RCMP_PRESSER_848x480_1520592963680.jpg?w=1040&quality=70&strip=all)
Experts say it can take just 20 minutes for the interior of a vehicle to reach extreme temperatures on a warm day.
According to safety website kidsandcars.org, 52 children died of heatstroke in cars across the U.S. in 2018, and nine have lost their lives already in 2019.
- Woman in Canada less than 2 months found dead inside suitcase in Newfoundland
- Ball hockey referee left with fractured skull, jaw after removing player from game
- Car theft finally decelerating in Canada after surge — a ‘positive sign’
- Quebec government quietly loosened its approach to drug possession over a year ago
Comments