Australian police suspect a 12-year-old boy has died after participating in a malicious challenge on TikTok.
Police are investigating whether the death of a 12-year-old boy (temporarily called A) was related to a TikTok challenge. This new trend is said to encourage children under the age of 10 to lure the police to chase them.
A stolen black Holden Barina crashed into a traffic light in Towradgi, Wollongong, south of Sydney (Australia), on the morning of October 4.
When police arrived at the scene of the crash, they found no one in the Holden Barina. Thirty minutes later, at around 2 a.m. local time, emergency personnel were called to a house in Balgownie. The caller said a 12-year-old boy was seriously injured.
The boy was treated by medical staff and transferred to Wollongong Hospital, but A later passed away.
Inspector and detective Jason Hogan told reporters that A was taken to a friend’s house after crashing the car. This person then called the police to tell about the incident.
Inspector Hogan suspects A’s death is related to a recent TikTok trend, when children challenge each other to steal cars and lure police into high-speed pursuit.
“We will be summoning anyone who posted content on social media regarding the incidents that occurred this morning. We are investigating all possible channels, the social side will also be considered,” Hogan said.
Australian police could not confirm whether the boy was in the Holden Barina at the time of the crash. The house where the boy was treated has been cordoned off to determine the cause of his death.
In addition, the intersection where the Holden Barina crashed has also been set up as a crime scene.
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