Rescuers free baby and dog from locked car in Kouvola

Rescue crews freed a baby under one year old and a dog from a locked car in Kouvola on Saturday afternoon, Yle reports.

The child and dog were trapped when the keys were left inside the car and the doors locked in a service station car park. The child’s mother called for help.

Kalle Kelkka, station manager at the Kymenlaakso Rescue Department, said rescuers arrived within five to 10 minutes. The car heated up quickly in the sunlight, and the child was distressed while the mother remained outside.

One of the car’s windows had already been broken when the rescue crews arrived, but the doors could not be opened. The crews broke another window to open a door and remove the child and dog.

Paramedics were at the scene and examined the child. Kelkka said he did not know how long the child and dog had been inside the car before rescuers arrived.

Opening car doors is a routine task for the rescue department, Kelkka said. In an urgent situation, crews can gain access almost immediately and use force as needed.

The incident was first reported by Kouvolan Sanomat.