Bystander Rescues Sole Survivor from Burning Vehicle Before Battery Fire Intensifies
A 73-year-old postal worker rescued a 25-year-old woman from a burning Tesla that crashed in Toronto early Tuesday morning, while four other occupants died at the scene. Toronto Police reported the 2024 Tesla struck a guardrail and concrete pillar at high speed around 12:10 a.m. on November 12, causing the electric vehicle to erupt in flames. Deputy Fire Chief Jim Jessop announced investigators are examining whether the car’s battery cells contributed to the fire’s intensity. Rick Harper, the Canada Post worker who saved the survivor, broke through the back window with a metal bar after finding other bystanders unable to open the doors of the burning vehicle.
5 Key Points
- Three men aged 26, 29, and 32, plus one 30-year-old woman, died at the crash site.
- The rescued 25-year-old woman survived with non-life-threatening injuries.
- No other vehicles were involved in the high-speed collision.
- Toronto Police and Fire officials are investigating the cause and intensity of the battery-related fire.
- The Tesla struck both a guardrail and a concrete pillar before igniting.
Postal Worker Describes Dramatic Rescue Effort
While driving his regular route early Tuesday morning, Canada Post worker Rick Harper came upon a scene of chaos. Several bystanders had already gathered around the crashed Tesla, and their attempts to open its doors were futile. The vehicle’s damage had sealed the occupants inside as flames began to spread.
“Then somebody was yelling, ‘You got a bar? You got a bar? Somebody’s in there,'” Harper told CBC News. The 73-year-old postal worker sprang into action, retrieving a metal bar from his truck. After his initial strike at the back window, Harper passed the tool to another bystander who managed to shatter the glass, creating an escape route for the trapped passenger.
Survivor’s Traumatic Escape Captured in Witness Accounts
The rescue operation unfolded in mere minutes, but the scene left an indelible mark on those present. Harper painted a vivid picture of the survivor’s emergence from the wreckage in his account to the Toronto Star: “She came out fast, head first. She said nothing. There were no words from anybody. We could see the fear in her eyes. She was letting out little screams.”
Unaware that four others remained trapped in the vehicle, Harper returned to his postal route. The actual scope of the tragedy only became clear hours later when news reports revealed the total casualty count. “I was totally shocked. It really hit me when I saw the report in the news that four had died,” Harper told CBC News. Police later confirmed that the woman he helped rescue was recovering in the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police Investigation Centers on Speed and Battery Fire
Toronto Police Duty Insp. Phillip Sinclair detailed how the 2024 Tesla lost control before striking a guardrail and concrete pillar. A subsequent investigation has expanded beyond the crash to examine why the fire spread rapidly through the vehicle.
Deputy Fire Chief Jim Jessop highlighted a critical aspect of the investigation: the relationship between the Tesla’s battery cells and the fire’s unusual intensity. The involvement of an electric vehicle adds complexity to the investigation, as lithium-ion battery fires require specialized firefighting techniques and can reignite hours after initial extinguishment.
Investigators have not released the names of the deceased – three men aged 26, 29, and 32, and one 30-year-old woman. Tesla has not responded to requests for comment about the incident or the vehicle’s safety features.
FAQ
Q: What time did the crash occur?
A: The crash occurred at approximately 12:10 a.m. local time on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, in Toronto.
Q: How many people were in the Tesla?
A: The vehicle had five occupants: four who died at the scene (three men and one woman) and one woman who survived.
Q: What were the ages of the victims?
A: The deceased include three men aged 26, 29, and 32, and one 30-year-old woman. The surviving woman is 25 years old.
Q: Who rescued the survivor?
A: Rick Harper, a 73-year-old Canada Post worker, along with other bystanders, rescued the survivor by breaking the back passenger window with a metal bar from Harper’s truck.
Q: Were other vehicles involved in the crash?
A: No, Toronto Police Duty Insp. Phillip Sinclair confirmed this was a single-vehicle crash.
Q: What caused the fire?
A: While the exact cause is under investigation, Deputy Fire Chief Jim Jessop stated that investigators are examining whether the Tesla’s battery cells contributed to the fire’s intensity.
Q: Has Tesla commented on the incident?
A: According to the source, Tesla did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the crash.
Citations
Speakman, Kimberlee (November 12, 2024). 4 Killed After a Tesla Crash Sparks Fire in Toronto: ‘A Very Horrific Scene‘. PEOPLE. https://people.com/4-killed-after-tesla-crash-sparks-fire-in-toronto-8743464
