A newborn baby was left abandoned in a shopping bag on a freezing cold night in London, according to the city’s Metropolitan Police.
A member of the public walking their dog heard the baby crying and found it wrapped in a white towel just after 9pm on Thursday local time at the junction of Greenway and High Street South in Newham in London’s east.
“Thinking fast, that person kept the baby girl warm until London Ambulance Service paramedics arrived and checked her over before taking her to hospital,” Chief Superintendent Simon Crick said.
Watch the latest news and stream for free on 7plus >>
Temperatures dropped to -6C the night the baby was found.
Crick said the baby, believed to be less than an hour old, was not injured and was in the care of hospital staff.
He said hospital staff had given the baby a temporary name of Elsa.
“I am grateful to the members of the public who stayed at the scene to speak with officers and medics – your actions contributed to saving the baby’s life,” he said.
Metropolitan Police are urging the baby’s mother to seek medical attention.
“We are extremely concerned for her welfare as she will have been through a traumatic ordeal and will be in need of immediate medical attention following the birth,” Crick said.
“Trained medics and specialist officers are ready to support her, and we urge her to get in touch by phone or walk in to the nearest hospital or police station.”
