Limpopo girl, 3, dies after being locked in car at Seshego Hospital

A three-year-old girl was found dead inside a locked Toyota Corolla Cross parked at Seshego Hospital on Monday afternoon.

Sharon Seretlo/Gallo Images

Seshego police are investigating a culpable homicide case following the death of a three-year-old girl,who was found locked inside a vehicle on Monday.

According to police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba,officers rushed to Seshego Hospital in Limpopo at about 15:10.

A medical doctor directed them to a blue Toyota Corolla Cross parked within the hospital premises.

“Police were informed of the tragic discovery of a three-year-old girl,who was found locked in the vehicle with its windows closed,seated in the back seat,” said Ledwaba.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Reports indicate that,regrettably,the child succumbed to the oppressive heat and lack of oxygen while inside the vehicle.”

READ | Baby rescued after being left in car for 'several hours' by parent in Durban

He said preliminary investigations revealed that the girl had reportedly been left inside the car earlier that morning,at around 07:00,by her mother.

It is understood that the mother had rushed for a handover session at the medical facility and,according to Ledwaba,inadvertently forgot her daughter in the vehicle.

ADVERTISEMENT

AccuWeather reported that the area recorded a high of 30°C and a low of 18°C on Monday.

The child’s death was pronounced by a doctor,and a postmortem examination will be conducted to ascertain the exact cause.

“Pathological forensic analysis (postmortem) will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death,and police investigations are continuing,” Ledwaba said.

Comment from the Limpopo Department of Health will be added when received.