Huddersfield baby rescued from car in heatwave

Apr 21 2009 HudderBy Barry Gibson

FIREFIGHTERS smashed a car window – to rescue a baby girl left inside for 40 minutes.

The baby was left in the vehicle with all the windows up during the hottest day of the year so far, outside a Huddersfield shop.

Firefighters rescued the 12-month-old from the vehicle in Wilkinson’s car park on Alfred Street yesterday.

Police have arrested a 51-year-old man on suspicion of neglect.

Huddersfield Fire Station watch manager Andy Flynn was called to the scene at 10.46am.

He said: “There was a little baby girl who had been in the car for 40 minutes.

“She seemed quite calm but it was quite a hot day and it looked like she was getting hot.

“We had to smash one of the windows to rescue her.”

The car park, behind the Wilkinson’s store in New Street, is used by customers.

It is very busy with drivers coming and going constantly.

The incident came on the hottest day of the year so far, with the temperature in the car likely to have been around 25C.

Salendine Nook weatherman Paul Stevens said: “Sitting in a car is like sitting in a greenhouse.

“The temperature outside peaked at 15.9C, but if you were sat in a car with all the windows up, the temperature could have been as high as 25C.