How a dangerous TikTok trend may have led to a 12-year-old’s death in a car crash
WOLLONGONG, SYDNEY: A 12-year-old boy died after a stolen Holden Barina crashed into a traffic light after he was dropped off in his home by his friend in Wollongong, south of Sydney. Police have not yet revealed how the child was involved in the crash, but they are now probing a link between the crash and a harmful new TikTok trend.
The police found nobody at the crash site but they got a call 30 minutes after the crash from the boy's house. The boy was treated by paramedics and transferred to Wollongong Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
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Police said that the boy had significant injuries. An investigation is underway to determine whether the 12-year-old boy's death was caused by the TikTok craze encouraging children as young as 10 to steal cars and lure police into pursuits.
Acting Detective Inspector Jason Hogan said, "We'd appeal for anyone that might have social media content that would cover the incidents that's happened this morning to come forward." When asked if the death was connected to the aforementioned TikTok trend, he said, "We're investigating all lines of inquiry and the social media line will be investigated too."
According to the police, they were still trying to ascertain the boy's role in the tragedy. Specialists from the Accident Investigation Unit examined the crime scene at the intersection as well, reported Dailymail.
Anyone with information or dashcam footage regarding the crash or how the child was injured is encouraged to contact Wollongong Police on or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Recently, a 14-year-old boy and three girls, between 15 and 17, took part in a similar TikTok challenge where they drove a stolen car into a median to avoid police stop sticks. The incident was captured on video by traffic cameras. The video showed the teenagers leaping from the car and dashing across the highway, dodging cars as they do so, to get to the other side of the road.
The incident began when a rental car company contacted police about a 2021 Kia Forte that had been stolen in Minneapolis, FOX9.com reported. Later, the teens crashed the car, fled from the burning vehicle and were eventually detained by the St Paul Police.