An 18-year-old Indian-origin student’s passion for cars ended in heartbreak when a routine oil change turned fatal, exposing the hidden risks of working under a raised vehicle.
Kishan Atit Patel was described by friends and family as a bright, cheerful young man with a love for cars.
On 25 September 2025, Patel visited a neighbour’s home in Mount Roskill, Auckland, to borrow a trolley jack and other tools to service his vehicle.
It is reported by RNZ that the neighbour, aware of the risks, advised Kishan on proper jacking points and safety precautions before Patel left to complete the task.
Later that afternoon, when Kishan could not be reached by phone, a close friend went to check on him. What he found was devastating: Kishan was trapped beneath his own car, which had slipped from the jack.
It is reported that using the jack, the friend lifted the vehicle and called emergency services, attempting resuscitation until paramedics arrived. Despite these efforts, Kishan was pronounced dead at 6.14pm.
A subsequent investigation by police revealed that the trolley jack had been positioned beneath the front bumper, rather than the manufacturer-specified jacking points. As per Stuff.co.nz, photographs showed the bumper buckled under the car’s weight, causing the vehicle to become unstable and collapse.
Coroner Ian Telford ruled Kishan’s death accidental, confirming that blunt force injuries to the head and torso were the cause. Toxicology results indicated he had no drugs or alcohol in his system at the time of the accident.
“This tragic incident underscores the very real dangers of performing maintenance beneath a raised vehicle without proper support,” Telford said as per NZ Herald report.
“Trolley jacks are designed solely to lift vehicles at specific points. Using them without additional, stable supports can lead to instability and sudden collapse, as we saw here.”
He stressed the importance of using purpose-designed equipment, following manufacturer instructions, and ensuring vehicles are adequately supported before anyone positions themselves underneath.
Kishan’s mother, Sunita, spoke about her son’s dedication and hard work to NZ Herald. He was preparing for a car race and had spent days completing a list of maintenance tasks recommended by a mechanic to obtain a Warrant of Fitness.
She described him as “bubbly, cheerful, and confident with cars,” and said he often helped friends with small repairs. “I was still at work and never imagined something like this could happen,” she said.
“It has left me grieving for life. I hope no other young person has to go through this. Simple maintenance like an oil change should not cost a life.”
She called for easier access to professional mechanical work for teenagers to prevent similar tragedies.
While New Zealand does not currently collect national data on fatalities involving car jacks, Australian statistics show that on average, 160 injuries and five deaths each year are linked to these devices, prompting awareness campaigns by consumer safety agencies.
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