Apple’s iPhone Crash Detection feature led New Zealand police to the site of a fatal off-road crash that claimed the lives of two teenagers.
Joanna Beach and Bondi Reihana Richmond were killed in a crash in Mount Richmond Forest Park, toward the northernmost of New Zealand’s south island. The pair were traveling in a four-wheel drive vehicle traveling through Beebys Knob Track at 11:00 P.M. on Monday, April 8, 2024, when the accident occurred.
According to the New Zealand Herald, police and rescuers found the pair after Apple’s Crash Detection feature on one of the women’s iPhones alerted them to the incident at approximately 11 p.m. on Monday. “The location the alert pinpointed was instrumental in locating the deceased teens,” said police.
Police told the Herald that no other vehicles were involved and “inquiries into the cause of the crash are ongoing and will be presented to the coroner; however, the vehicle was found down a steep bank.”
Beebys Knob Track is a restricted route where four-wheel drive vehicles are only allowed from December 1 to April 30 and drivers are required to have a permit. The pair are reported to have obtained the correct permit.
“The location the alert pinpointed was instrumental in locating the deceased teens,” police said.
“A helicopter was used in the initial search, alongside police on foot and a police dog. On finding the teens a Sar operation commenced, involving LandSar volunteers, to recover their bodies.
“Inquiries into the cause of the crash are ongoing and will be presented to the coroner; however, the vehicle was found down a steep bank.”
Crash Detection on the iPhone 14 and later also works in conjunction with the Apple Watch, leveraging both devices to get help. When a severe crash is detected, the emergency services call interface will appear on the Apple Watch, as it is most likely to be in closer proximity to the user, while the call is placed through the iPhone if it is in range for the best possible connection.
The feature is designed to detect a severe car crash and automatically call emergency services if the driver doesn’t respond to the device’s prompts within 20 seconds.
Crash Detection is enabled automatically on all iPhone and Apple Watch models that offer support, meaning you’re protected unless the feature has been manually switched off. To check, go into the Settings app and tap on “Emergency SOS” on your iPhone or “SOS” on your Apple Watch, and confirm that the “Call After Severe Crash toggle” is enabled.
To check, go into the Settings app tap on Emergency SOS on your iPhone or SOS on your Apple Watch, and confirm that the Call After Severe Crash toggle is enabled.
