Four Indians, including two siblings, lost their lives in a burning Tesla in Toronto, Canada, on October 24. The victims, all from Gujarat, were identified as Ketaba Gohil (29), her brother Neelraj (25), Jayrajsingh Sisodia, and Digvijay Patel. The tragic incident occurred when the electric vehicle burst into flames after colliding with a guard rail.
A woman in her 20s was the only survivor, thanks to Rick Harper, a Canada Post employee who heroically smashed a window of the burning Model Y with a metal pole, enabling her escape. Harper later expressed concerns over Tesla’s safety design, revealing he was unable to open the vehicle’s doors.
In an interview with the Toronto Star, Harper said, “I would assume the young lady would have tried to open the door from the inside, because she was pretty desperate to get out.” He noted that it was only after breaking the window that the panicked woman fell out, and the thick smoke prevented him from realizing others were still inside.
Tesla’s door design has come under scrutiny, as the electric doors require power to unlock, operating through buttons instead of traditional handles. Calgary Fire Department Captain Randy Schmitz highlighted that a power failure in a crash can make the doors nearly impossible to open. Although the Model Y has a manual override feature, experts suggest it may be hard to find during high-stress moments.
This case has brought further attention to Tesla’s safety concerns, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration currently investigating multiple issues with the Model Y, including incidents of “unexpected brake activation” and “sudden unintended acceleration.”
The Toronto accident has amplified growing concerns about the safety of Tesla’s design, particularly in emergencies where power loss impedes door access. Experts point out that electric vehicles like Tesla’s Model Y incorporate innovative technology, but these advancements can present risks if critical safety features are not foolproof in real-world scenarios. The need for accessible, easy-to-operate manual escape options in high-stress situations is becoming an increasingly important topic within the automotive safety community.
In recent months, other incidents involving Tesla vehicles have raised questions about the reliability of electric doors and automated systems. While the manual override function exists in the Model Y, critics argue that it’s poorly publicized and may be challenging to locate under pressure, especially when thick smoke or fire is present. This has led to discussions about whether Tesla’s design choices prioritize aesthetics and technology over life-saving accessibility.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s current investigations into Tesla’s Model Y include concerns over both unintended braking and acceleration issues. These investigations have highlighted possible flaws in the software and hardware that control Tesla’s driving dynamics. Additionally, some industry professionals are advocating for enhanced regulations on electric vehicle designs, stressing that an efficient, foolproof emergency exit mechanism should be as central as the car’s technological capabilities.
For now, Rick Harper’s act of bravery has underscored the potential dangers in Tesla’s safety design, sparking a conversation that may lead to reforms in electric vehicle standards. Safety advocates are calling for automakers to balance innovative design with practical emergency solutions, ensuring that, in critical moments, lives are not jeopardized by the technology meant to protect them.
