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Topics: Elon Musk, Germany, Tesla, World News
Joe Yates
Police in Germany have confirmed that a man and two kids have tragically been burned alive in a Tesla after first responders failed to open its electronic doors.
The tragic crash - which took place last Sunday (September 7) in Sehnde, a town in northern Germany not far from Hanover - has sparked fresh concerns over the carmaker’s door system after all three lost their lives in the fiery wreck.
It occurred after the Tesla veered off the road and slammed into a tree, according to local reports. The impact caused the car to burst into flames, with rescuers on the scene said they were unable to open the doors in time to pull the victims out.
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A 43-year-old man and two 9-year-olds died in the blaze, while a third child, also 9, managed to escape and was airlifted to hospital with injuries, police confirmed.
The names of the victims have not been made public.
Roman Jedrzejewski, who works in a paint shop nearby, explained the moment he heard the crash and how he rushed over hoping to help.
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"I was just here at the paint shop. Like so often on Sundays, I do a few little things here on my own," he told local Ruhr News.
"Suddenly, I heard really loud braking noises, really loud squealing tires. And then a bang, it was brutal. I just thought: My God. I immediately thought there was an explosion or that something had fallen from the ceiling in our hall.
"I just took the fire extinguisher and ran over. But you can't put it out. It didn't help."
Jedrzejewski weeps as he continues: "I wanted to save people.
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"I tried to open the car, but that didn't work either. It was already so hot from the fire, but the right side of the car was still relatively undamaged. Damn it, I didn't help. It didn't work."
Tesla vehicles are known for their sleek design and tech-forward features, including flush, retractable door handles and electronic releases. However, if the car loses power in a crash, those doors can become difficult, or impossible, to open from the outside.
While there are manual release levers inside Teslas, they can be hard to find or use - especially for young passengers.
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Concerns about Tesla’s door handle design aren’t new. Earlier this year, Germany’s leading automobile club warned that retractable handles could pose a safety hazard.
Meanwhile, US regulators launched an investigation into over 170,000 Model Y vehicles after multiple reports that the doors couldn’t be opened during emergencies.
UNILAD has contacted Tesla for comment.