Tampa police officers turned a terrifying moment into a relieved embrace on Tuesday when they freed a young girl who had become accidentally locked inside an SUV at a gas station and reunited her with her mother at the pump.
Body-camera footage shows officers moving quickly to force open the vehicle's door, then lifting the child out while medics stood by and evaluated her at the scene. According to WFLA, the mother called 911 as soon as she realized her keys were still inside the SUV and her daughter was locked in. She stayed right by the vehicle while officers worked to get the door open.
WFLA reports that once officers pried the door open, they pulled the girl to safety and handed her back to her mother at the gas pump as paramedics continued to check her out.
Mother Calls It 'My Biggest Nightmare'
The mother described the ordeal to WFLA, saying, "I've heard parents talk about this, like, this is, like my biggest nightmare." Body-camera video shows officers calmly passing the child into her arms before paramedics complete their on-scene evaluation.
Police used the incident as a teaching moment, reminding parents that if a child becomes locked in a vehicle, they should call 911 immediately, stay with the child, try to create shade if possible and watch closely for any signs of heat-related illness while help is on the way.
Why Even A Few Minutes Can Be Dangerous
Public health experts warn that the inside of a parked vehicle can heat up much faster than many people realize. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that a car's interior can become dangerously hot within minutes and that young children are especially at risk because their bodies heat up more quickly than adults'.
If you see a child alone in a vehicle, authorities and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise calling 911 immediately and getting help. Cracking a window does not prevent rapid heating, the CDC warns, so bystanders are urged to treat any such situation as an emergency.
