Car accident on Jeju leaves one dead, one injured as iPhone crash detection alerts authorities

One person was killed and another was injured after their car flipped over on Jeju Island on Tuesday.

A car overturned in Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo on Jeju Island on Tuesday. [JEJU FIRE SAFETY HEADQUATERS]

One person was killed and another was injured after their car flipped over on Jeju Island on Tuesday.

The iPhone's emergency features assisted in calling for help.

The accident happened at 1:17 a.m. in Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo, Jeju, when the sport utility vehicle fell into a ditch and overturned, police said.

The 21-year-old driver died at the scene, while a 23-year-old passenger is being treated in the hospital for a shoulder injury.

The iPhone's car crash detection feature automatically called emergency services upon detecting the crash.

When a severe car crash is detected and the phone user does not respond, the device automatically calls emergency services.

Following the automatic call, fire authorities searched the area but were not able to find them initially. They located the overturned vehicle, aided by an additional call from the surviving passenger.

Police are currently investigating the cause of the accident.

BY IM SOUNG-BIN, WOO JI-WON [woo.jiwon@joongang.co.kr]