UPDATE: THE dad of a toddler who tragically died in a hot car has urged parents to hug their children and “never let them go.”

Distraught Andrew Krespanis paid tribute to his son 22-month-old Noah — who was found dead in a vehicle parked on the driveway of a Kyneton day care centre on Thursday — saying he cherished every day together.

“We lost our beautiful son today,” he wrote on Twitter on Thursday.

“I love him more every day. Forever.

“I’ll always know I cherished every day. Every laugh, every adventure, every cuddle. Miss you Noey X.”

He added: “Hug your children. Hug them and never let them go.”

The dad’s comments came after detectives revealed they would not be able to speak to the traumatised mum for several days.

Homicide Squad Detective Senior Sergeant Shane O’Connell said investigators hadn’t been able to speak to the mum and did not expect to do so for several days.

“As you can imagine the family of this young boy are devastated by what has occurred so it’s been difficult for us to try and piece together exactly what has occurred, but that’s something that will be the focus of our major ongoing investigation,” he said.

“The mother was present when the young boy was located and she’s absolutely devastated by what has occurred.

“It’s a very tragic set of circumstances.”

media_camera Police officers arrive at a property near where the incident occurred at Acacia Drive, Kyneton. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Mr Krespanis was found by police after the grim discovery at 3pm and brought back to Kyneton.

The couple also have a primary school aged child.

Police are investigating whether the mum mistakenly thought she had dropped Noah at the day care centre earlier that day before carrying on her normal daily routine and returning to the centre that afternoon.

Noah was discovered dead, still strapped in his car seat in the back of a Toyota HiLux, at 2.57pm.

Paramedics performed CPR on Noah for several minutes but could not revive him.

Alli Evans, who operates the private day care centre for six or seven children in Banksia Crescent, said she was “absolutely heartbroken.”

“I am absolutely heartbroken for the family and my friend. That is it,” she posted on Facebook.

Police yesterday revealed the car had only been parked at the centre for a short time before Noah was discovered.

Det Sen-Sgt O’Connell said police were yet to establish exactly what had occurred in the lead-up to Noah’s death.

“She’s just not been in a position to talk to us,” he said.

“And it’s not until we’re able to do that that we are able to shed any light on what has occurred.”

“We’re keeping a very open mind in respect to the investigation.”

media_camera Crime scene police in Kyneton. Picture: Jay Town

He added: “It’s my understanding the car had only been at the address a very short time but I can’t be more specific than that,” Det Sen-Sgt O’Connell said.

The temperature reached 31.6C in Kyneton by 3pm on Thursday.

Devastated residents near the daycare centre yesterday vowed to rally behind the devastated family.

Rob Wheeldon fought back tears as he spoke of his distress. His wife was too upset to speak.

“I think the town is really upset at what’s happened,” Mr Wheeldon said.

“A little street like this — we’re really feeling for the family and the people around the area.

“It’s just an absolute tragedy and we’re all devastated about it.

“For such a life to be taken so young it’s very devastating.”

Trevor D’Silva and wife Trona said, as parents themselves, their hearts went out to the family.

“It’s really moved us very very badly in a great way,” he said.

Mrs D’Silva said: “As a mother I feel for the mother. I wonder what she’s going through today.”

media_camera Crime scene in Kyneton. Picture: Jay Town

Yesterday, Melbourne Fire Brigade said it rescued two young children from a locked car in Brunswick East.

Firefighters had to smash a window of the car at 9.30am and free the two children inside after their mum, Monica, accidentally left her keys inside the locked car.

MFB said its crews rescued 337 children from locked cars during 2014 and in the first five weeks of 2015, paramedics were called to 200 cases.

Ambulance Victoria group manager Brett Drummond said earlier this month it was frustrating the message wasn’t getting through.

“It’s never OK to leave a child in a car, no exceptions, no excuses,” he said earlier this month.

The State Government has promised to increase penalties for leaving children in hot cars, with fines up to $3700 and jail time increased from three months to six months.

jon.kaila@news.com.au

Twitter: @jonkaila