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A 5-year old boy managed to climb inside a Tesla Model S plug-in at an electric car display inside Tongzhou Wanda Plaza Mall, a popular Chinese shopping centre, according to the People’s Daily.

He was able to start the car, and in the process, smashed uncontrollably into a nearby buggy holding a baby.

It was a terrifying spectacle that occurred during the mall’s peak hours. Many shoppers were witness to the incident.

Now, the question that many wants to ask – why was the Tesla Model S electric vehicle displayed on the show left unlocked?

Tinkering on an unfamiliar gadget, or even becoming enticing into entering an unguarded vehicle can be an expected behaviour from any curious child. But, apparently, this mischievous child possesses a precocious mind.

Not only was he not contented on getting inside the new white Tesla Model S, but he managed to start the ignition.

The car moved forward six metres and crashed straight into a red pushchair with a young child inside. The stroller fell over and the youngster, who was grabbed by its mother, was fortunately unhurt.

A horrified eyewitness, Lok Cheng, told a local Beijing Television: ‘There were loads of kids messing around with the cars, even though it was in a roped off area. ‘The car started up but only moved forward at a slow speed, and the woman didn’t realise because she had her back to it and the engine made no sound.

‘They moved the car back afterwards but you could still see kids playing with it, so I don’t think they treated the problem that seriously. At least not until the police turned up.’

The Tesla EV car was positioned at the centre of the shopping mall in the Chinese capital. It was part of a show that features two of the new car models displayed for viewing by the mall’s shoppers.

The sales team of Tesla apparently had their attention on a few onlookers, giving them information about the features of the car, when the boy came out of nowhere and opened the car’s door.

He quickly climbed up the seat, and as he held the steering wheel, pretended to be driving the car.

One might think that the boy had driving skills at that early age and started the Tesla on purpose, and did manage to drive a few meters forward.

Unfortunately, his misadventure knocked down two individuals, albeit no injury was reported.

The mother was shaken but relieved that her baby was not harmed. Still, she opted to file a complaint with the local police.

The kid was given the Chinese nickname of ‘bear child,’ which means a child who is left to go amok.

Even with the Tesla Model S left unlocked, Chinese authorities are investigating why no one, at least from the Tesla booth, was able to prevent the child from getting in.

As for the young offender, no action was taken against him. But the exhibit’s organizers as well as the mall’s shopping management might face actions for not implementing the necessary safety measures necessary during exhibits and displays.

Neither the showroom organizers nor the shopping mall management were available to give comments to the incident.

Photo Credit : Google Image