the emergency operating device for releasing a trunk lock mechanism of a motor vehicle , in which a human , especially a small child , or an animal could be locked , includes a sensor device in the trunk and an evaluation device connected to the sensor device . the sensor device generates and transmits sensor signals that indicate whether or not the human or animal is present in the trunk . the evaluation device receives and evaluates or analyzes the sensor signals to ascertain whether or not the human or animal is present in the trunk . the evaluation device generates an operating signal for automatic activation of the release mechanism if the human or animal is present in the trunk .