An autistic child died after she was left in a van for three hours, in Negeri Sembilan.

The incident involving the eight-year-old girl happened in Taman Nusari Bayu in Sendayan, yesterday, reported Free Malaysia Today (FMT).

Seremban police chief Mohd Said Ibrahim said the girl was in the van to get to a daycare centre together with other children, but the van driver had returned home about 2.30pm after forgetting that she was still in the van.

The 34-year-old man only realised the girl was still in the vehicle about three hours later, but it was too late for the victim, as she was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Tuanku Ja'afar Hospital in Seremban.

Police have detained the driver to facilitate investigations under Section 31 (1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 for child negligence.

"Forgetting" children and even pets in cars is a common occurrence around the world, and Malaysia is no exception.

Locked inside sweltering heat inside stationary vehicles, most of the victims die, while some other relatively lucky ones are saved in the nick of time.

Such tragic incidents are completely avoidable. Make sure to check the inside of your for any occupants, no matter how far and how long you are leaving the vehicle unattended for.


Source: FMT
Photo source: ABC News