Two police officers have been commended after they rescued a three-year-old girl from a burning car after she was abandoned by her father, who fled the scene.
The toddler was left with serious injuries after her father allegedly left her in a burning car after crashing on Great Eastern Highway.
Officers from Midland Police rescued the girl from the car and she is currently in Princess Margaret Hospital recovering from emergency surgery to repair internal injuries.
Police were on their way to a domestic disturbance in Ellenbrook on Sunday when they received information that an intoxicated man had left the disturbance in a stolen vehicle with his young child.
Police units began searching for the man and at 11pm the vehicle was located on Lloyd Street, Midland, being driven with no headlights on.
The man allegedly failed to stop for police but a chase was not initiated due to the presence of a child in the car, and a short time later the car was found crashed into a concrete barrier on Great Eastern Highway, on approach to the Roe Highway on-ramp.
It had caught fire and the man had allegedly fled the scene on foot, leaving the girl in the burning car.
The man was later found by police nearby on Beaconsfield Avenue in Midvale.
He was arrested and taken to Swan Districts Hospital by St John Ambulance for treatment of injuries received in the crash.
The man failed a breath test at the hospital and was taken to Midland Police Station for further questioning.
The 25-year-old man from East Victoria Park has been charged with 10 offences, including aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm and dangerous driving occasioning bodily harm.
He had a bedside hearing on Monday and was remanded in custody.
He has been returned to hospital and police believe he may require a bedside hearing.
Acting Superintendent Steven Byrne said the actions of two officers, one who used a fire extinguisher on the blaze and one who went into the car to rescue the toddler, saved the girl's life and their actions would be considered for commendation.
"I think there's no question [that the officers saved the girl's life]," he said.
"I will be meeting with them as soon as they come back on duty.
"We will look closely at the actions of them and take into consideration what formal recognition they should receive as a result of their actions."
