Around 10:13 PM on 6/4, a silver SUV plunged into a river in Changding district, Fujian province, China, resulting in five fatalities. Local authorities confirmed the victims included three children and two adults.

Surveillance footage captured the vehicle making a slow turn past a pedestrian crossing, initially appearing normal. However, immediately after the turn, the SUV suddenly struck a canopy support pillar before crashing into the bridge's side guardrail. Within seconds, the vehicle broke through the bridge pillars and the guardrail, plunging into the river.

The vehicle was moving slowly at the time of the impact, yet showed no signs of braking even as it hit the pillar. Its bright taillights were identified as standard running lights, not an indication of braking. Witnesses described heavy rain that night, causing river levels to rise rapidly and significantly.

The point where the car broke through a pillar and bridge guardrail before plunging into the river. *Photo: Sohu*

After the car plunged, nearby residents immediately alerted rescue teams. The rescue operation, however, proved challenging. Around 11 PM, responders located the submerged vehicle and initiated salvage efforts. The car was recovered from the river around 3 AM on 7/4.

Media reports indicated the victims included a family of three and two other relatives. Sources suggested the car owner had consumed alcohol during a family barbecue that evening, opting not to drive. His 45-year-old wife, who held a driver's license but rarely drove, took the wheel to transport everyone home.

Poor visibility due to rain at the time of the accident likely contributed to the incident, with the driver possibly pressing the accelerator instead of the brake in confusion. Police attributed the preliminary cause to the female driver's improper vehicle control.

Sohu reported that mistaking the accelerator for the brake has become a common cause of traffic accidents in China, particularly among inexperienced drivers or those who drive infrequently. In sudden situations, these drivers are more susceptible to operational errors, where a single moment of panic or a mistake can lead to tragic outcomes.

My Anh