CLARKSTOWN, NY – A dramatic rescue unfolded in Nanuet on Tuesday, July 16, when a young child was saved from a locked car amidst scorching temperatures. The incident occurred around 2:15 p.m. in the Costco parking lot at 50 Overlook Blvd., where temperatures soared to 98 degrees.
Responding to an emergency call, a Clarkstown Police officer arrived to find a distressed father outside his vehicle, which had his young son locked inside. Observing the child in the back seat and unsure of the duration of the child’s exposure, the officer broke the vehicle’s window to carry out the rescue. The child, who had been in the car for approximately 15 minutes, was alert and conscious when removed and promptly handed over to the waiting medical team from Nanuet Community Ambulance and Rockland Paramedic services. He was then transported to Montefiore Nyack Hospital for further evaluation.
Investigation revealed that the incident occurred when the father, after placing the child in the backseat to retrieve his wallet from the trunk, inadvertently locked the doors.
Despite his immediate attempts to open the car, he was unable to do so and sought help from nearby bystanders.
The Clarkstown Police Department has stated that there was no criminal intent involved in this incident, thanking the bystanders for their assistance. Additionally, the department issued a reminder about the extreme dangers of leaving children or pets in vehicles, especially during warm weather.
The internal temperature of a car can increase significantly within minutes, posing severe health risks. In 2021, 23 children in the U.S. tragically died from heat-related illnesses after being left in vehicles. The community is urged to take precautions and immediately call emergency services if they observe anyone in distress inside a locked car.
