In Japan, between the last days of the year and the beginning of the New Year holidays, a horrific road accident shocked the entire country. A long series of vehicles collided with each other on a snow-covered expressway late Friday night. Within no time this accident turned into flames, in which an elderly woman died and dozens of people were injured.
According to police, the accident occurred on the expressway near Minakami city in Gunma prefecture. Initial investigation has revealed that two heavy trucks collided first. Due to this, there was a jam on the road and the vehicles coming from behind could not apply brakes in time on the icy surface. The slipping was so much that the vehicles started colliding one after the other and within a few moments the accident turned into a major chain accident. Provincial Highway Police have confirmed that more than 50 vehicles were involved in the accident.
The situation became more frightening in the last phase of the accident, when several vehicles suddenly caught fire. The fire spread rapidly and engulfed more than a dozen vehicles. According to the fire department, it took about seven hours to control the fire. Many vehicles were completely burnt to ashes, although it was a matter of relief that no one else died due to the fire.
Police informed that in this accident, a 77-year-old woman from Tokyo died on the spot. Apart from this, 26 people have been injured, out of which the condition of five is said to be serious. All the injured have been admitted to nearby hospitals, where their treatment is going on. Health officials say that the seriously injured are being monitored.
According to Japan’s public broadcaster NHK, the expressway between Yuzawa Interchange in Niigata Prefecture and Tsukiyono Interchange in Gunma Prefecture was closed in both directions after the accident. Traffic could not be restored until the debris strewn on the road was removed, the burnt vehicles were removed and the investigation was completed. Officials have not yet clarified when the route will be reopened.
A 60-year-old truck driver caught in the accident told Japanese newspaper The Mainichi that he had to suddenly turn the steering wheel to save the car going in front of him, due to which his truck collided with the divider. He told that there were several loud crashing sounds from behind and due to the snow the vehicle had almost lost control. At that moment he started fearing for his life.
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