Rescue operation after baby locked in car (From Kingston Guardian)

Rescue operation launched in Kingston after baby locked in car

12:10pm Tuesday 29th May 2012 in News By Clare Buchanan

A rescue operation was launched after a baby was locked in a car.

Firefighters rushed to the scene, in Tudor Drive, Kingston, at 11.06am to break into the locked vehicle and safely remove the child.

A London Fire Brigade spokesman said the keys had accidentally been shut inside the car but the baby was unharmed and crews managed to open a window causing no damage.

The incident was finished by 11.20am.

London Fire Brigade tweeted: “We always attend in an emergency if you're locked in or out. Our crews are at the scene of a baby who is locked inside a car in Kingston.”

The capital’s firefighters are called out almost once every hour to rescue people who have locked themselves in or out of buildings or vehicles, according to London Fire Brigade figures.

Over the past three years, the fire brigade was called out to 22,000 such incidents, which are estimated to have cost taxpayers around £5.7m.

The brigade is aiming to reduce the number of locked in and out incidents for its crews by reminding the public to phone a locksmith but said it will always attend if there is an emergency or if someone’s life is at risk.

Was it your baby? Did you see what happened? Phone 020 8744 4264 or email cbuchanan@london.newsquest.co.uk.