Girl's Cooling-Off Spot Turns Into Rescue Mission

A 12-year-old girl’s impulsive attempt to escape a disagreement with her mother led to a harrowing ordeal when she became trapped inside a washing machine. The incident, which occurred March 30th in Kunshan, Jiangsu province, highlights the potential dangers of children acting out without considering consequences.

According to reports from the South China Morning Post, the girl retreated to the top-loading washing machine after being scolded for incomplete schoolwork. She quickly realized her mistake, finding herself unable to move and immediately alerting her mother, who contacted emergency services.

Firefighters arrived to find the girl in distress, reportedly crying out in pain. A 16-minute rescue operation ensued, ultimately requiring the careful disassembly of the washing machine to prevent injury. Rescuers prioritized the girl’s emotional state, offering reassurance throughout the process. They removed the machine’s shell and carefully used hydraulic cutters to open the casing, wrapping her in a blanket for protection.

This incident, while thankfully resolved without serious harm, is part of a disturbing pattern. Similar cases have been reported, including a four-year-old in eastern China becoming stuck on a park monument and, tragically, the deaths of young children trapped inside washing machines in 2018 – a four-year-old in Dubai and a five-year-old in Japan.

These incidents underscore a critical need for increased parental awareness regarding potential household hazards and, perhaps more importantly, open communication with children to address emotional outbursts in safer, more constructive ways. While childish impulsivity is common, the potential for serious harm in these situations is significant and demands attention.