scary event to wake you up

a terrifying thing happened today. on returning home from shopping with my toddler (nathan), we parked as normal. mommy carried the bags and gave him a small one to carry - as normal. then mommy pushed the button for the automatic sliding door on the minivan to close -as normal. as we walked toward the house i heard an awful crushing sound (not normal!) and turned to see the head of my toddler's stuffed shamu toy wedged in the rear of the door, jamming it from closing all the way. he screamed in terror, so i quickly hugged him and took him inside for lunch.

I WAS TOTALLY UNABLE TO MOVE THE DOOR - it would not open at all (nor would it close all the way).
our door has a safety feature that stops the door from closing if something applies pressure to the front of the door, this sensor appearantly DOES NOT WORK for objects at the rear of the door!

at first i was upset that it may result in a costly trip to the dealer - but now i am thanking God that this happened to make me aware, and to be able to warn others, of the possibility of what could have been an unspeakable tragedy. i know it sounds trite - but to graphic, so you really get it - what if that was a small child's HAND stuck in the door - smashed - and the parent is helpless unable to open the door!?! what would you do?!? what could anyone do??? wait for the fire dept or police to get there and take the door off???
ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE TO EVEN THINK ABOUT.

here is a picture of the minivan with a green circle around where the sensor works and a red one around where it does not. also is a picture of the toy and what had to be done to remove it from the door.

because i care,
ann

(i know some may read this and say "duh - maybe that is why you should watch your kid - you bad mom" but let us be serious here and just be aware of the danger)