Imagine the horror of losing someone in such an unexpected way. A 60-year-old woman in France was tragically suffocated to death by her own car's automatic window in a freak accident, leaving friends and family reeling in disbelief.

The heartbreaking incident involved Bernadette Delmotte, who was discovered lifeless in her red Fiat 500 in the quaint eastern village of Bissy-sur-Fley. It’s an unimaginable scenario that seems pulled from a dark comedy, but this was all too real. Bernadette’s family initially faced confusion and sorrow, unable to grasp how such a bizarre event could possibly unfold.

“They were asking, ‘What the hell happened?’” recounted her brother François to France 3, highlighting the bewilderment surrounding the tragedy. Friends like Béatrice echoed this sentiment, suggesting at first that maybe a health crisis or foul play was involved. “We could never have imagined what really happened,” she said, still grappling with the shock.

Details of the incident began to emerge as investigators pieced together the events of June 13. Bernadette, while cleaning her car, leaned through the window to reach for the handbrake she had forgotten to engage. In a tragic twist of fate, she accidentally activated the automatic window control, leading to a fatal compression of her throat as the glass rose.

“The car began to roll backward,” Béatrice explained further. In a desperate attempt to regain control, Bernadette threw herself through the open window. Tragically, her hand inadvertently triggered the window, and by the time she realized what was happening, it was too late.

When Bernadette failed to arrive for dinner that evening, concern grew among her friends. After numerous unanswered calls, they rushed to her home, only to find her lifeless body still trapped in the car. An autopsy revealed that she had succumbed to asphyxiation, and authorities confirmed there was no foul play involved, labeling it a tragic accident.

The small village, where Bernadette had built a life after moving from Paris, was left in shock. Known as a friendly and active member of the community, her sudden passing resonated deeply with everyone who knew her. Born in Congo but of Belgian descent, Bernadette had dedicated her career to coaching and training before retiring, leaving behind a legacy of positivity.

In a poignant move, her brother reached out to Fiat, not seeking financial compensation but rather expressing a desire to prevent such tragedies in the future. “That will not give me back my sister,” he emphasized, reminding us all that sometimes it’s not about justice, but about ensuring safety for others.

This tragic story serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly life can change and the importance of being vigilant even in seemingly mundane tasks.