Police in Washington state have confirmed that a one-year-old child has died after being left in a car outside of a hospital for nine hours.
Puyallup Police Department public information officer Don Bourbon said the child's foster mother forgot the child was inside the car after arriving at the hospital at 8am.
At just after 5pm, the woman returned to the car parked outside the MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital and the child was rushed inside but could not be revived.
The internal temperature of the car was a baking 110 degrees Fahrenheit (37C).
Puyallup, southeast of Tacoma, experienced temperatures up to 75 degrees (23C) that day.
Puyallup Police Captain Don Bourbon said: "This is a tragic incident, and our hearts go out to the family and those who, everyone who was affected by this."
He added: "As it does get warmer, lives are hectic right now with everything, a lot going on in everyone’s families and lives, and throughout the world. So it’s a good time to slow down and kind of take a double take and be aware of what we have around us and our families."
In a statement, the hospital said: "A tragic incident took place at the Good Samaritan campus Wednesday involving an employee and their child.
"This incident also impacted a number of our other team members. MultiCare has offered a number of paths for support for our employees. We extend our condolences to everyone involved."
Noheatstroke.org said that the death makes the fourth paediatric heatstroke fatality this year. The organisation recorded 33 last year alone and 944 since 1998.
On average there are around 38 child heatstroke fatalities per year.
The National Safety Council NS) said on its website: "On average, 38 children under the age of 15 die each year from heatstroke after being left in a vehicle. Nearly every state has experienced at least one death since 1998. In both 2018 and 2019 a record number of 53 children died after being left in a hot vehicle."
The safety organisation warns against parents and carers leaving young children in hot cars for a period of time. They estimate from data that 53 per cent of indecent" involve a parent or caregiver forgetting the child was in the vehicle".
In a warning to guardians, the NSC said: "Even on mild or cloudy days, temperatures inside vehicles can reach life-threatening levels. Leaving windows slightly open doesn't help. Children should never be left unattended or be able to get inside a vehicle...
"NSC advises parents and caregivers to stick to a routine and avoid distractions to reduce the risk of forgetting a child. Place a purse, briefcase or even a left shoe in the back seat to force you to take one last look before walking away.
"Keep car doors locked so children cannot gain access, and teach them that cars are not play areas. There is no safe amount of time to leave a child in a vehicle, even if you are just running a quick errand."
