A MOUNT Edgcombe mother of four 'accidentally' locked her four children, all under the age of six, inside her vehicle.The mall security responded quickly, breaking a window to ensure the children's safety, on Tuesday.
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A MOUNT Edgcombe mother of four was forced to call for help after accidentally locking her four children, all under the age of six, inside her vehicle.
The mall security responded quickly, breaking a window to ensure the children's safety, on Tuesday.
Details about the circumstances under which the children were left locked in the car is not known.
It is unclear whether the woman had locked the children in the vehicle with the car keys and went shopping
Kyle van Reenen, spokesperson for Ensure Security, said the mother had claimed she had “accidentally” locked her children in her VW Minivan, and had to seek the help from the security guards to break open the window and free the,
He said the children were unable to unlock the vehicle from the inside and free themselves.
“We received an emergency call reporting that a resident from the Mount Edgecombe area had accidentally locked her children inside a vehicle at Cornubia Mall.
“An operations vehicle arrived promptly on scene. A responding member utilised equipment to break the rear window of the vehicle in a controlled manner in order to access the locking mechanism and open the vehicle.
“All children were safely released from the vehicle and reunited with their parents. Fortunately no injuries were sustained during the incident,” he added.
Van Reenen said they commended the swift response and cooperation between security partners and emergency services which ensured a safe outcome for the children involved.
“The local Urban Improvement Precinct leadership was immediately contacted and responded urgently to the scene to render assistance as well,” he said.
Rachel Wilkin, spokesperson said they urged parents and caregivers to remain vigilant following the incident at Cornubia Mall incident.
“Children had to be safely rescued after being accidentally locked inside a vehicle. Children face serious dangers in these situations, as temperatures inside cars can rise rapidly, leading to overheating, dehydration, and heatstroke within minutes. Young children are particularly vulnerable because their bodies heat up far faster than adults, and panic or restricted airflow can quickly turn life‑threatening.
“We remind residents to always keep keys secure, never leave children unattended in a vehicle, and double‑check that all passengers have exited before locking the car. If a child becomes trapped, call emergency services immediately. We urge the community to report such incidents without delay, as their quick action can save lives,” she added.