A toddler has died after being found unconscious in a vehicle parked in a regional council car park, sparking a "complex" police investigation.
A far north Queensland community is reeling after the unresponsive two-year-old girl was discovered alone in the car parked in Innisfail's CBD and could not be resuscitated.
"It appears the child had been in the vehicle by herself for quite some time and the parents were away from the car at the time the child was found," Superintendent Mick Searle told reporters on Tuesday.
Emergency services responded to reports of an unresponsive child in a vehicle at Innisfail's Cassowary Coast Council car park on Monday afternoon.
The toddler could not be revived and was taken to Innisfail hospital but later died.
Asked how long the child had been left alone in the car, Supt Searle said: "It would appear to be quite some hours".
Support is being provided to the child's family who are assisting police.
"We are now conducting a very complex and detailed investigation in relation to this matter," Supt Searle said.
"We're being assisted by the family and other specialist police. That investigation will continue for quite some time.
"There will be a range of factors that we will need to assess."
Supt Searle said support was also being provided to the Innisfail community following the tragedy.
"Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to all of the people involved in this matter," he said.
"It's also a difficult time for the first responders."
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
