Edmonton police are touting the actions of one of their own, after his quick reaction to rescue a child left alone in a car Wednesday afternoon, as temperatures reached 30 degrees Celsius.

Security staff at a downtown high-rise made the call at about 3:40 p.m. Wednesday – but EPS Downtown Division members were also responding to another incident at the same time, and couldn’t respond.

An officer working with the Bike Beats Squad in the downtown core responded to the call – and found a 2-year-old child in the back of the car in obvious distress.

Attempts were made to contact the owner of the vehicle, but weren’t successful – the officer broke into the car and rescued the child.

Police said the child appeared lethargic and was covered in sweat, but was unharmed otherwise.

It’s an example of what could happen if a child is left alone in a car in the heat – and it’s a situation police have tried to remind Edmontonians about throughout the summer.

“Police are reminding citizens that under no circumstances should young children be left in vehicles, whether to run into an office or business for even two minutes,” Const. Steven Kilpatrick said in a press release. “The consequences can be life-altering for families, especially during inclement weather conditions.”

In this case, a 33-year-old man was charged with abandoning a child.

Police are asking anyone who sees a child in distress inside a vehicle to call 911 immediately, and to not leave the child alone until help arrives.