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Driver rescues tot wandering in road

Laura Kenny
6/ 3/2008

A GOOD samaritan found a two-year-old boy wandering in the middle of a busy residential street.

The toddler, who was dressed in tracksuit bottoms and was wearing just one shoe, was spotted by a passing motorist walking along Mellalieu Street shortly before the school-run rush last Thursday.

After searching the street for the tot's mum, stunned motorist Leanne McNally, called police and paramedics and the youngster was later taken to Middleton police station.

Mum-of-two Leanne, from Burton Street, Middleton, said: "The baby was just walking out into the middle of the road.

"I did not know where he had come from and I was looking for his mum but I couldn't see anyone.

"I was so shocked I thought he was going to get run over so I pulled over and picked him up. I knocked on a few of the doors but no-one seemed to recognise him."

Paramedics then checked the toddler over while police officers carried out house-to-house inquiries to try and find out where the boy's parents lived.

It is understood that the little boy was later able to tell them where he lived and that his mother has now been located.

A police spokesman confirmed that a two-year-old boy was found wandering the street at around 3.15pm on Thursday 28 February and that he is now in the care of Rochdale Social Services.

He said: "It is believed the boy had been in the street for about five minutes.

"He is now being looked after by foster parents."

He added that no charges were to be pressed.