Four friends tragically lost their lives in Toronto, Canada, when the Tesla they were traveling in caught fire after crashing. The accident, which took place on October 24, claimed the lives of Jay Sisodiya, Digvijay Patel, Neelraj Gohil, and his sister Ketaba Gohil, all aged between 26 and 32. The Tesla reportedly hit a guardrail and immediately burst into flames, trapping the passengers inside as the car’s electronic doors failed to open, preventing their escape.
A passerby, Canada Post employee Rick Harper, managed to rescue one 25-year-old woman who survived. Harper had to break a window to help her out after she struggled with the car’s electronic locks, which reportedly malfunctioned due to the crash. Harper later shared his experience, explaining that the car’s interior was filled with smoke, which made it impossible for him to realize there were others inside.
Randy Schmitz, a Calgary Fire Department captain, noted that Tesla’s electronic doors rely on power to operate, which can leave passengers trapped in emergencies if the vehicle loses power. Deputy Fire Chief Jim Jessop from Toronto Fire Services confirmed that the intense blaze was linked to the Tesla’s battery cells, which can lead to uncontrollable fires in severe impacts.
The incident has reignited discussions around the safety of electric vehicles, particularly Tesla’s reliance on electronic doors and high-voltage batteries. Although Tesla has marketed its vehicles as some of the safest on the road, this tragedy highlights potential safety concerns that some feel the company needs to address.
