In a heartbreaking incident in Sehnde, Germany, a 43-year-old man and two nine-year-old children tragically lost their lives after a Tesla they were traveling in crashed and caught fire. Despite the efforts of first responders, the electronic doors of the vehicle were unable to be opened, preventing rescue efforts in time.
The crash occurred on Sunday, September 7, when the Tesla veered off the road and collided with a tree, resulting in a deadly fire. Emergency responders were on the scene quickly but were unable to open the car’s doors due to the vehicle’s electronic door system, which became inoperable after the crash.
While the man and two children perished in the flames, a third nine-year-old child managed to escape the wreckage and was airlifted to a nearby hospital with injuries. Authorities have not released the names of the victims.
A nearby worker, Roman Jedrzejewski, witnessed the crash and immediately rushed to the scene to help. “I heard really loud braking noises, really loud squealing tires. And then a bang, it was brutal. I just thought: My God,” he recalled. Jedrzejewski, who works at a nearby paint shop, grabbed a fire extinguisher but found it ineffective against the intense fire. He also attempted to open the car’s doors, which were stuck due to the electronic system. “It didn’t work. It was already too hot,” he said, visibly shaken.
Tesla’s Door Design Under Scrutiny
Tesla vehicles are known for their advanced features, including sleek retractable door handles and electronic releases. However, this tragic incident has raised concerns about the safety of this system, especially in emergencies. If the vehicle loses power during a crash, the doors can become difficult or even impossible to open from the outside, trapping passengers inside.
While Tesla vehicles are equipped with manual release levers inside, these can be difficult for passengers—particularly young children—to locate and use. This issue has drawn criticism from safety advocates and regulators. Earlier this year, Germany’s leading automobile club issued a warning, stating that the retractable door handles could pose a safety hazard. Additionally, U.S. regulators have launched an investigation into over 170,000 Tesla Model Y vehicles after multiple reports of doors not opening during emergencies.
Calls for Investigation and Change
The tragic deaths have reignited discussions about Tesla’s design choices and their potential safety risks. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has yet to comment publicly on this specific incident, but the company has faced mounting pressure regarding vehicle safety, particularly in emergency situations.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of vehicle design in ensuring the safety of all passengers, especially in emergencies. As investigations into this crash continue, it is likely that calls for changes to Tesla’s door system and more comprehensive safety measures will grow louder.
As authorities continue to look into the cause of the crash, this devastating incident highlights the risks associated with high-tech vehicle designs and raises crucial questions about how to balance innovation with safety.
