Man dies after Tata Harrier EV Summon mode incident in Tamil Nadu
A man reportedly died in Tamil Nadu on 14 August 2025 after being struck by a Tata Harrier EV, with claims that the vehicle's Summon Mode remote parking feature was engaged while he stood beside the car. Tata Motors disputed the Summon Mode claim, suggesting the vehicle rolled due to gravity, and stated no official complaint had been filed.
What happened
On 14 August 2025 in Avinashi, Tamil Nadu, a man died after being struck by a Tata Harrier EV. According to a Reddit post attributed to a relative, the vehicle's Summon Mode was engaged while the man stood beside the car with the driver-side door open.
CCTV footage shows the vehicle rolling backward down an incline, striking the man as he attempted to enter and apply brakes. The person fell to the ground and suffered a severe head injury. The vehicle then ran over his legs while reversing, and nearly ran over him again while moving forward before bystanders pulled him away.
The man was taken to hospital where doctors declared him brain dead. According to the Reddit post, the victim had previously experienced a software issue with the car in which it stopped on the road and would not start.
Reported impact
The victim died from injuries sustained in the incident. The Reddit post states the family had not yet filed an official complaint against Tata Motors at the time of reporting.
Index analysis
Tata Motors disputed claims that Summon Mode was engaged, stating in a company statement that 'preliminary observations from video shared online suggest that the vehicle may have rolled back from the top of a slope due to gravity and ricocheted after striking an unknown object, suggesting that the motor was not engaged.'
The company also corrected claims that officials had taken the vehicle, stating 'the vehicle remains with the family and has been driven since the incident, and we have not yet had the opportunity to inspect it.' The exact cause remains unclear; it is unconfirmed whether the incident resulted from a technical fault, human error, or external factors.
Governance controls
Tata Motors issued a statement saying it was gathering facts and expressed sympathy to the deceased's family.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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