Accident occurred as train on commuter line traveled south of Tokyo.
Shortly before noon on September 5 an express train was traveling along the Keikyu Main Line, which passes through Tokyo in connecting Chiba and Kanagawa Prefectures, which border the capital on its western and southern sides. As the train traveled through a section of the track between Nakakido and Kanagawa Shinmachi Stations in the city of Yokohama, however, a truck was either parked atop or moving across one of the rail/road crossings, and the train collided with the other vehicle at approximately 11:40 a.m.
The collision was forceful enough that the first three cars of the eight-carriage train derailed, with the lead car tipping onto its side as it exited the tracks. A large pillar of smoke could be seen rising from the scene of the accident as passengers were evacuated.
Fire and rescue workers report at least 36 train passengers suffered injuries, and the truck’s 67-year-old male driver, who was in the middle of delivering shipments of fruit, died from the impact.
The above video, taken by a passenger before exiting the train, shows debris scattered far down the tracks. Videos, recorded by passengers who’ve ridden that section of the line on other days, show how quickly express trains can travel in that area, with speeds reaching up to 120 kilometers (74.6 miles) per hour.
The crossing where the collision took place is equipped with gates, warning alarms, and devices designed to alert a train’s driver if the crossing is obscured, and the cause of the accident is currently unconfirmed.
Source: Asahi Shimbun Digital via Oakomu, NHK News Web
Top image: Wikipedia/Linearcity~commonswiki
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