2 killed after car hit by JR train at crossing

The Yomiuri Shimbun

11:50 JST, January 6, 2023

MITO — Two people died after their minicar was hit by a train at a railroad crossing on the JR Joban line in Kasama, Ibaraki Prefecture at about 8 a.m. on Friday.

According to the Ibaraki prefectural police, emergency personnel extricated the two from the wreckage of the car, but were later confirmed dead on the scene. According to East Japan Railway Co. (JR East), the car was pushed 100 to 150 meters from the crossing following the collision.

No injuries were reported among the about 500 passengers and train crew, police said. The passengers were evacuated from the train using ladders.

JR East said that the crossing is equipped with alarms and circuit breakers, which were in normal operation at the time of the accident.