by Key Points of the Incident
Details of the Tragedy in Germany
The safety issue of Tesla’s electric door handles extends beyond the USA. German police reported that the accident, which occurred on September 7, resulted in the death of the driver and two children. The car veered off the road and instantly caught fire. According to published images, it involved a Model S, which is equipped with retractable electric handles.
An accident witness, Roman Yendzeevsky, tried to help the victims but could not find a way to open the door.
Rescue Attempts and Aftermath
“I just grabbed a fire extinguisher and ran up. But… it didn’t help,” he told German media. “I wanted to save people. I tried to open the car, but that didn’t work either. It was already so hot from the fire… But the door just couldn’t be opened, I wanted to pull the children out.”
One of the children, a 9-year-old, managed to get out of the car. However, the 43-year-old driver and two other 9-year-old children died in the fire.
Local firefighters reported that they had difficulty bringing the fire under control, as it kept reigniting, likely due to battery thermal runaway. The fire was only extinguished after the vehicle was completely destroyed.
Recurring Problems and Manufacturer’s Response
This is not the first time the retractable door handles of the Model S have been linked to fatalities. For example, in early 2019, a man died after an accident when police were also unable to open the doors before the fire engulfed the car.
Due to growing criticism, Tesla announced that it is working on a new door handle design. Engineers are developing a system with a single button that would combine mechanical and electronic opening methods, which should facilitate evacuation for both drivers and rescuers.
Similar incidents in various countries indicate a systemic problem that requires not only technical changes from the manufacturer but also a potential review of safety standards for electric vehicles at the regulatory level. Swift intervention by witnesses is often key in such situations, so the accessibility of door opening mechanisms in emergency conditions must be a priority in the design of any vehicle.
