Introduction:On the evening of August 6, 2024, an out-of-control electric light truck was involved in an accident on Dongting South Road in Yueyang, Hunan. A small delivery van bearing the logo of "Cotti Coffee" veered off course while repositioning after unloading goods, crashing into a Heytea store approximately 27 meters away. The incident resulted in 2 deaths and 2 injuries. This article details the sequence of events, the rescue operation, responses from all parties involved, and also includes safety precautions for electric light truck deliveries to help readers understand the critical details behind the accident.
At around 6:36 p.m. on August 6, 2024, a serious traffic accident occurred at the intersection of Dongting South Road and Zhuyin Street in Yueyang City, Hunan. A small electric light truck painted with the words "Cotti Coffee" suddenly lost control while repositioning after unloading goods. It first collided with a roadside green belt and then veered toward a Heytea store about 27 meters away, injuring four people in the vicinity of the store. Two of them died despite rescue efforts, and the other two sustained minor injuries.
According to nearby residents, the incident happened extremely suddenly, leaving pedestrians no time to react. As the truck crashed into the beverage shop, some pedestrians were knocked down, and others were pinned under the vehicle. "The truck drove straight into the store, with two people trapped underneath," described witnesses, noting the highly critical situation at the scene.
Shortly after the accident, nearby residents rushed to try to rescue those trapped but were unable to move the vehicle. Before long, police, firefighters, and medical personnel arrived on the scene, and the involved truck was cordoned off. Videos and photos of the scene quickly spread on social media platforms, sparking public speculation about the cause of the accident, and related topics briefly trended on Weibo.
The Public Security Bureau of Yueyanglou District reported that evening that the truck had lost control unexpectedly while repositioning after unloading goods, resulting in injuries to four people near the entrance of the beverage store—two fatalities and two minor injuries. Efforts to treat the injured, investigate the accident, and handle aftermath issues are still ongoing.
A recruitment manager for Cotti Coffee in the Yueyang area stated that the company is actively cooperating with the investigation and will assume corresponding responsibilities based on the determination of liability. The company has also contacted the families of the injured to provide comfort and handle follow-up matters. The vehicle involved was used for company deliveries and served more than just Cotti Coffee stores.
Staff at a local Cotti Coffee store revealed that vehicles delivering supplies are managed by the warehouse. The warehouse is currently cooperating with police investigations. The company plans to strengthen future safety requirements for parking delivery trucks to prevent similar incidents.
Videos from the accident scene showed the door of the Heytea store that was hit remained tightly shut, with visible damage around the entrance. A Heytea customer service representative confirmed that the store has temporarily suspended operations and stated that the official notice should be taken as authoritative.
This incident has drawn attention to the safety of electric light truck deliveries. Experts advise that when delivery vehicles operate in narrow streets or densely populated areas, special precautions should be taken:Reduce speed and drive cautiously,Check the braking system, and ensure thatthe driver has sufficient experience. Stores should also designate safe zones for goods handover to minimize the risk of vehicles coming too close to operational areas.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
