Car window 'strangles' boy

A five-year-old boy has his died after getting his head stuck in an electric car window.

The boy was playing with his younger brother in the vehicle when his neck became trapped in the window, according to neighbours.

The boy's mother had parked the car outside their home in New Addington, Croydon, Surrey, but left the engine running, meaning the electrics were still working, according to reports.

The two boys had been playing inside the vehicle for less than five minutes when the boy's head reportedly became trapped between the window and the car frame.

Police and the ambulance service went to the scene but paramedics were unable to revive the boy on their way to St George's Hospital in Tooting.

A neighbour said: "We heard screaming and the next thing we knew, ambulances and paramedics were swarming all over the place. They couldn't save him though."

Another said: "This is an absolute tragedy. We can't believe it. He was just playing with the electric window as kids do.

"He just kept pressing up and the window closed on his neck and he was strangled. It's so sad."

A spokesman for Scotland Yard said: "It is believed a five-year-old boy was playing in the family car when his head became trapped in the window.

"He was taken to St George's Hospital, Tooting, but was pronounced dead at 15.59."

He added: "The incident is being treated as a sudden death. Police are providing support for the family and will prepare a report for the coroner in due course."

The boy's mother, who is thought to have been bringing up the two boys and their older sister alone after splitting from their father, is said to be "devastated".

A post mortem will take place on August 21 at Queen Mary's Hospital Mortuary and an inquest into the death will open two days later at Croydon Coroner's Court.

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