On October 24, a tragic accident in Toronto, Canada, claimed the lives of four Indian friends after their Tesla Model Y burst into flames. The victims, identified as Ketaba Gohil (29), her brother Neelraj (25), Jayrajsingh Sisodia, and Digvijay Patel, all hailed from Gujarat, India.
Sole Survivor’s Heroic Rescue
A young woman in her 20s was the sole survivor, thanks to Rick Harper, a Canada Post employee who witnessed the incident. Harper smashed a window of the burning Tesla with a metal pole, pulling her out just in time.
“I couldn’t open the doors. The woman was desperate to get out,” Harper recalled. “Once I broke the window, she fell out head-first.”
The thick smoke inside the car obscured Harper’s view, preventing him from realizing that four others were still trapped.
Tesla’s Safety Design Under Fire
The incident has raised serious concerns about Tesla’s electronic door system, which relies on power to operate. In emergencies where power fails, unlocking the doors can become nearly impossible.
Although the Tesla Model Y includes a manual override button, experts note that its location is not widely known, which could make it hard to find during a panic.
Broader Safety Issues
This crash is one of several incidents involving Tesla vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is currently investigating nine cases related to the Model Y, ranging from unexpected braking to sudden acceleration.
