Firefighters safely rescued a 20-month-old child who was trapped inside a Tesla Model Y in Scottsdale, Arizona after the car's battery went dead.
According to the relative of the child, the car went dead after she loaded her granddaughter inside the car for a supposed trip to the Phoenix Zoo.
(Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Tesla Traps Child After Battery Dies
Renee Sanchez, the owner of the Tesla, shared that the car's battery died after settling her granddaughter. She was supposed to go around the front seat but the dead Tesla did not allow her to, leaving the child alone inside.
"I could not get in. My phone key wouldn't open it. My card key wouldn't open it," she recalled to On Your Side. She immediately dialed 911 and had the firefighters help with the situation.
The firefighters stated that it was difficult for them to get inside any Tesla, leading them to force break a window with an axe. The rescuers covered the window with tape to prevent any glass from flying and injuring the child inside.
Tesla's Battery Dies Without Warning
During the summer season, it is unsafe for children to be left alone inside a car. These days temperatures often exceed 100 degrees due to the heatwave.
According to Sanchez, her granddaughter started crying after seeing the commotion outside the car. In addition, the temperature inside was getting hotter every minute.
Tesla provided a hidden latch on the driver's side armrest to manually unlock the car once the battery has died. However, this is only usable for people who are locked inside and not outside. Many Tesla users are also not aware of this feature.
Sanchez recalled that the 12-volt battery of her car died without warning. Tesla is required to alert drivers three times before the battery dies but the company's service department confirmed that the owner did not receive any warning.
The child was safely removed from the car as the firefighter climbed through a window. The rescuers also calmed the little girl.
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