In a shocking incident, a four-year-old boy, Qurban Khan, suffocated to death after he accidentally locked himself in a stolen car. He was playing outside his house in Mumbai when the incident allegedly took place.
A report in a leading daily says that the Mumbai police has already registered an accidental death report.
They quoted a police official saying, "Due to a space crunch, the Mumbai police do not have a proper place to park seized stolen vehicles and hence had kept them at an under-construction site, where children from the vicinity play."
Profile picture of four-year-old Qurban Khan, sourced from TOI
The initial evidence found in the Rajawadi Hospital stated that Qurban Khan died of suffocation but the report has been reserved for further investigation. Khan's father works for a chartered accountant in the city and he has three siblings.
How the child presumably died
The police in a statement to a leading daily mentioned that since the batteries of most of the seized vehicles dry up, Khan who went inside to search for a ball may have gotten locked up and could not open the door.
It was also alleged that the child was already weak and unwell; and given the sweltering afternoon temperature, he may have died due to breathlessness and suffocation," said another officer.
Sadly in a similar incident last year, a three-year-old Pune-boy, while playing in a parked car, got locked inside. It was reported that due to the failure of the central locking system. He died of suffocation.
Basic child safety norms
As a parent, you must ensure that you supervise your child at all time. But there are many times when it may not be possible. In such a case, you can try the following points of child safety to ensure your child is safe and secure:
- Never leave your child unsupervised. Even if there is an emergency, make sure you appoint somebody keep a check on your child.
- Teach your children not to play on the street and ask for help if they notice something suspicious.
- Do not leave your kid around places that pose a possible danger. Children are unable to identify danger zones, a job you must do for them.
- Make sure you educate and inform your child of possible dangers. This will help him evade accidents in the future.
- Always keep a phone or any other communication device handy. In case of emergencies, that’s the first thing your child would- contact you.
- Check the outdoor play area routinely and try to keep all the fences closed, so that the child does not wander off.
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(Image for representation purposes, courtesy: MetroUK) News source: The Times of India
