'Ting' and bounced off, then 'Kwang' on the car windshield... Chinese driver hit by manhole cover disaster

"Facility Management Issues"
Citizens Voice Concerns

A harrowing accident occurred in China when a manhole cover flew off and struck the windshield of a moving vehicle.

A manhole cover flew through the air and pierced the windshield of a vehicle. Gwangmingmang

On the 28th, Chinese state-run Guangming Online reported that around 10 a.m. the previous day, a manhole cover popped off and hit a moving vehicle on a road in Yuhong District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province. Earlier, a white sports utility vehicle (SUV) running on the road passed through an intersection and ran over the manhole cover with its rear wheel. At that moment, the manhole cover was propelled into the air and struck the windshield of a BYD vehicle following behind. With a loud bang, part of the manhole cover embedded itself into the windshield.

Immediately after the accident, the police arrived at the scene to manage the situation. Fortunately, the driver was not seriously injured, and it was confirmed that only the vehicle hit by the manhole cover was damaged. The driver involved in the accident is reportedly planning to file a compensation claim against the manhole maintenance company.

A manhole cover flew through the air and pierced the windshield of a vehicle. Gwangmingmang

The black box footage capturing the accident was shared online, prompting concerned reactions from citizens. They commented, "What a sudden disaster. It's a catastrophe for the driver of the following vehicle," "If the manhole cover flew off despite normal driving, doesn't that indicate a problem with facility management?" and "What if the vehicle behind had been a motorcycle instead of a car?"

Regarding this, a local expert explained, "Generally, while a vehicle running over a manhole cover may damage its wheels or chassis, it is very rare for the cover to be propelled into the air. If the vehicle was not speeding or overloaded, the sudden ejection of the manhole cover can be seen as a facility management issue."