Burnaby RCMP were called to a report of an unconscious 16-month-old near Central Park

RCMP say 16-month-old who died was left in a hot car "for a number of hours"

BURNABY (NEWS 1130) – A 16-month-old boy who was left in a hot car in Burnaby has died.

Burnaby Fire members were called to the area of Inman Ave. and Kingsway — near Central Park — at about 5:30 p.m. on Thursday and RCMP arrived soon after. The child was unconscious and was pulled from the car.

The toddler was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead.

It’s unclear how long the child was left in the car for, but Mounties say the toddler was in the vehicle alone “for a number of hours.” Thursday was the hottest day of the year so far this year.

The child’s father was found nearby and both parents are cooperating with investigators.

No arrests have been made. Investigators are still speaking with people in the neighbourhood.

“It’s tragic. It’s horrible,” Burnaby RCMP Chief Superintendent Deanne Burleigh said. “There’s no words to describe what anybody would be feeling right now — any of the first responders who attended, anybody at the hospital who attended, any of the family members. It’s absolutely tragic.”

.@burnabyrcmp driving message home to not leave children in hot cars. Neighbourhood inquiries underway. pic.twitter.com/I2ZyJfaEAu — Andrea Macpherson (@AMacOnAir) May 10, 2019

“The message that we’re trying to send today is to please not leave children unattended in vehicles in this weather. And when you’re transporting your children in a vehicle, please check the vehicle and ensure that you have delivered your child — that they’re no longer in the vehicle when you’re parked and you’ve gone off to do your business for the day.”

“We’re in a heatwave right now. Please don’t leave your children unattended in a car — any age,” she said.

Burleigh says victim services is helping the family. “I can’t imagine how the parents are coping. As a parent myself, I can’t imagine how I would cope.”

#Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley says his community is devastated by loss of a 16-month-old boy left alone in a hot car on Thursday near Kingsway and Inman. The former firefighter says this tragedy is a reminder for everyone to be careful as the weather warms up. — Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) May 10, 2019

Burnaby’s mayor says it is a sad day for his entire community.

“It’s a real message … about leaving children in vehicles, especially on these very warm days that we’re having right now,” Mike Hurley said.

As a former firefighter, Hurley has been called to a number of these types of situations. “It’s very intense, when you see a young child — or any person — locked in a car, unable to get out and trapped in these types of conditions.”

He adds his heart goes out to the child’s family.

“My greatest sympathies go out to the family. I’m sure there was no intent meant with what happened here — I’m certainly hoping that’s the case. I just send my deepest regrets to the family. It’s a very tragic situation.”

– With files from Marcella Bernardo