TESLA TERROR: Driver Fights for Life After Car’s Battery Explodes into ‘Thermal Runaway’ Fire on NSW Highway
- A Tesla driver is in a critical condition after a crash triggered a catastrophic ‘thermal runaway’ battery fire on the Pacific Highway in NSW.
- The fire raged for hours, with firefighters using over 20,000 litres of water to extinguish the blaze and cool the wreck.
- The driver, a man in his 40s, suffered severe burns to his face, hands, and arms, and was rushed to hospital in a desperate bid to save his life.
In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves through the community, a Tesla driver is fighting for his life after a horrific crash on the Pacific Highway in NSW sparked a devastating ‘thermal runaway’ battery fire.
The drama unfolded on Friday afternoon, when the Tesla Model Y crashed south of Taree, prompting emergency services to shut down the highway. Paramedics treated the driver, a man in his 40s, for severe burns to his face, hands, and arms before rushing him to Manning Base Hospital.
Police confirmed the driver remains in a critical condition, with his family anxiously waiting for news of his recovery. ‘We are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, and our thoughts are with the driver and his loved ones at this difficult time,’ a police spokesperson said.
Firefighters from the Diamond Beach Rural Fire Service brigade battled the blaze for hours, using over 20,000 litres of water to extinguish the fire and cool the wreck. ‘The battery pack of the Tesla went into what is known as ‘thermal runaway’ – the burning battery cells continuing to fuel the fire,’ the brigade posted on Facebook.
A Fire and Rescue NSW spokesman warned that electric vehicle fires like this are ‘exceedingly rare’ and usually only occur after a crash. ‘We aren’t seeing a problem with EV car fires unless they’ve had mechanical damage such as an accident,’ he said.
The incident has sparked concerns about the safety of electric vehicles, with some experts warning that thermal runaway fires can be particularly hazardous. ‘These fires are difficult to extinguish and can continue for hours, even days or weeks after a fire has been doused,’ one expert said.
In a chilling revelation, it was revealed that EV companies in China have experimented with explosively ejecting batteries from damaged electric vehicles to prevent such fires. The system, known as ‘battery ejection’, is designed to jettison the batteries from the vehicle in the event of a crash, reducing the risk of a thermal runaway fire.
The incident is a sobering reminder of the risks associated with electric vehicles, and the need for drivers to be aware of the potential dangers. As the driver fights for his life, the community is left to ponder the what-ifs and the could-haves.