When the rescuers arrived and we opened the car together, everything became clear. On the front seat lay an unconscious woman. Later it turned out — she was the boy’s mother.

She had felt unwell at the wheel and at that moment realized that exhaust fumes were entering the cabin. A barefoot child was crying nonstop and pounding on the car door with his fists

She had just enough strength to pull her son out, but she could not get out herself. The door slammed shut, leaving the child outside, and her — inside, unable to help herself.

The woman was rushed to the hospital. For several hours, doctors fought for her life, and fortunately, she managed to recover. A barefoot child was crying nonstop and pounding on the car door with his fists

The boy was also under medical observation: aside from severe stress, he only had scratches and feet damaged by the asphalt.

I stood nearby and couldn’t stop thinking that all of this could have ended much worse. One small step — and the story would have had a completely different ending.