Businessman trapped in drowned car by lock jam

GHAZIABAD: The 30-year-old businessman, whose Hyundai i20 car had plunged into the Hindon canal on Sunday night, appears to have been killed because the central locking system of the car failed, trapping him inside the car, police said on Tuesday.
“Not only did the central locking system trap him, but also the water seeped inside the car. He was either suffocated or drowned, or both.Only the autopsy report will provide detailed information,” said Indirapuram police station chief Hardyal Yadav.
This is the second reported case of the central locking system of a car trapping its occupants inside within a month. On December 7, a 35-year-old Hapur businessman and his grandfather were locked inside their flaming Maruti Estilo car, after the CNG kit of the car leaked on NH-24. The two, however, had managed to escape with burn injuries after smashing the co-driver side’s glass.
When asked about the repeated failure of cars’ central locking system, traffic police circle officer Atul Yadav said that with increased use of technology, there will be more glitches. “We will really have to look into this. But, there has to be a shortcoming inside the car,” said Yadav.
Automobile experts warned car owners against getting accessories fitted in the car from unauthorized dealers. A car expert, on condition of anonymity, said that central locking usually gets jammed because of a short circuit.
“A short circuit is usually caused by a fire or if water seeps into the wiring. Sometimes, the wiring may have deposits on it. The central locking system can also get jammed when the car battery is exhausted,” he said, adding, “the best option is to get central locking installed by the company’s own experts and check the wiring periodically for insulation or deposits.”