A leisurely trip to the park turned into a parent's worst nightmare for Port Macquarie mum, Laura Haggart when her 15 month old son, Chester Lee became locked in a rapidly heating car.
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The pair had just been to a local park around 10.30am on March 20 when they drove home on Kennedy Drive.
To Laura's horror as she parked and checked on the still sleeping Chester, she discovered her mobile phone and car keys were accidentally locked in.
To make matters worse the sunny 26 degree day was threatening to turn the car into an oven.
"I ran to both neighbours, but they were away and I started yelling out for help," she said.
"It was quite warm, Chester was stressed out and it was pretty scary.
"I tried to flag down a car but four cars looked at me oddly and drove on.
"I don't blame them because I must have looked crazy, I was frantic."
One resident who did stop to help was former coordinating principal of St Agnes Parish, Jim O'Brien.
Mr O'Brien called NRMA and the Fire and Rescue services.
The pair waited for help and contemplated breaking a window themselves before Fire and Rescue arrived to make a forced entry and release a flustered Chester from the car.
"I was most impressed with the swift response by the Fire Brigade, police and ambulance," said Mr O'Brien.
"My overwhelming feeling following this incident was around how fortunate we are to live in this country, and Port Macquarie in particular, where we have excellent access to emergency and medical services.
"They are so well trained and equipped.
"I just made the calls and supported Laura, the emergency services personnel did the rest."
After Chester was freed from the car he was taken inside and washed in a cold shower to cool off.
"He was warm and I would have hated him to be in there any longer - 20 minutes felt like an hour," said Ms Haggart.
"I want to stress to people that you have to keep your keys on you at all times."
Port Macquarie Fire and Rescue Station Officer Gavin Muller said the station receives around 20 calls a year for children stuck in cars during hot weather.
"We recommend to call emergency services, and trying all windows and doors," he said.
"People can also keep a car cool until emergency services by shading it or using hoses to cover the car in water."
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