A serious accident involving a Tesla Model Y on the Pacific Highway near Rainbow Flat, New South Wales, resulted in a driver suffering severe burns. The incident occurred around 14:30 on October 27, 2023, leading to a significant fire caused by a phenomenon known as “thermal runaway,” which affected the vehicle’s battery.
Emergency services responded promptly to the scene, where they found a man in his 40s with burns to his face, hands, and arms. A spokeswoman for the Ambulance Service of NSW confirmed that paramedics transported the injured driver to Manning Base Hospital in Taree, where he remains in critical condition.
According to a representative from Fire and Rescue NSW, the Tesla’s battery experienced thermal runaway following the crash, requiring extensive cooling efforts that lasted for several hours. The spokesperson emphasized that fires involving electric vehicles are rare and typically occur only after mechanical damage, such as in this accident.
The Diamond Beach Rural Fire Service brigade, which responded to the fire, explained on social media that the incident involved a damaged battery pack that continued to fuel the flames. Thermal runaway fires present significant challenges for firefighters, as they can be difficult to extinguish and may continue to burn for hours. In some cases, such fires can even re-ignite days or weeks after being extinguished.
In response to the risks posed by such fires, the local fire service called for additional resources to bring water to the scene. Five years ago, the brigade had trained specifically for thermal runaway fires, enabling their crews to operate from a safe distance and upwind of the burning vehicle.
The collaborative effort between local fire brigades and Fire and Rescue involved using over 20,000 litres of water to successfully extinguish the fire and cool the wreckage, which was subsequently loaded onto a tilt-tray truck. To mitigate the risk of re-ignition, the vehicle was secured at the Rainbow Flat RFS station.
The incident highlights the unique hazards associated with lithium-ion battery fires, prompting ongoing discussions within the electric vehicle industry about safety measures. Firefighters took additional precautions by laundering their uniforms to eliminate the risk of exposure to toxic chemicals generated during the fire.
As investigations continue, the focus remains on understanding the circumstances surrounding the crash and the subsequent battery fire. With electric vehicles becoming more prevalent, awareness of thermal runaway incidents and proper response protocols remain crucial for emergency services and the public alike.
