A 77-year-old woman riding a moped was injured after she was knocked off the bike by a nylon rope stretched across a road in Neyagawa, Osaka Prefecture, on Monday morning.
According to police, the incident occurred at around 2:30 a.m. The woman, who was delivering newspapers, was riding along the six-meter-wide road when she ran into the rope, which was 60 cms above the ground. Police said the woman broke her leg in the fall as the moped toppled over.
Police said one end of the rope was attached to a steel column in the parking lot of a supermarket, where it is used each night after closing hours. The other end was attached to a barber shop pole across the road.
Police said they are examining street surveillance camera footage to try and identify the person who stretched the rope across the road and said the perpetrator faces a charge of attempted murder.
© Japan Today
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DNALeri
It is sad to see that a 77-year old woman still has to work (and at 2:30 AM to boot) in order to make ends meet. Japanese old age pensions are a joke.
Ex_Res
Not the first time this has happened in recent years. Usually no murderous intent, and not the intended recipient either. Lethal, either way.
I think that anybody who pulls a stunt like this, knows full well that it is highly likely that somebody is going to be injuried or even killed.
What was a 77year old doing on a moped!?
Her job.
DNALeri
@quercetum
I'm sure you intended to write $640.
Do the hustle
Wow! Attempted murder? I guess it is. She could easily have died from the fall.
quercetum
In Japan, it’s not uncommon for the elderly to have to work in order to survive. She has to make ends meet at 77. Pension brings only ¥70,000 ($6400) a month for my Japanese friend who’s worked all his life.
oyatoi
Toshihiro: “During the allied invasion of France during WW2”
One man’s invasion is another’s Liberation, なるほど.
Cameron
When the catch the suspect, that person will likely claim, “I didn’t intend to hurt any one.”
nandakandamanda
Not the first time this has happened in recent years. Usually no murderous intent, and not the intended recipient either. Lethal, either way.
Anonymous
About ten years ago two dependents of American military personnel pulled the same stunt near Yokota Base seriously injuring the driver of a motorbike off base.
I never read a follow up on that. I hope this person is apprehended quickly.
quercetum
Yes, $640/month.
extanker
How else will people know to look out for it?
Ex_Res
That happened several years ago. The guy’s head came clean off.
Somebody did this in my native country a number of years ago. Fortunatly the rider, although seriously injuried, recovered, but the court made an example and gave the perpertator a severe custodial sentence.
Incidently, @Cameron, I believe that the perpertrator did say in court "I did'nt intend to hurt anyone".
JenniSchiebel
So it was her fault because according to you, she was too old to be riding one?
If I was 77 and riding a moped, and you asked me why I was riding a moped at my age, I would be tempted to say, "None of your damn business."
Bugle Boy of Company B
That happened several years ago. The guy’s head came clean off.
extanker
The fall? More like she could have easily died from being decapitated by the rope.
We had two teenage girls do this with heavy fishing line across a side road near my home. They strung a stuffed bear from it and thought it would be funny for people to think a bear was floating in the middle of the road. Unfortunately it almost took a motorcyclists head off.
Since there was no toy hanging from this rope, we can assume it's only purpose was to take someone's head off.
CaptDingleheimer
Happened in Akita City some years back, killed an old man on a bicycle. Three teenagers got done up for it.
Toshihiro
They should really arrest and charge the person responsible for doing this. During the allied invasion of France during WW2, nazis would string up metal wire along forested and dark roads at about neck height which led to lots of US casualties.
limosine
Shouldn't publicise this or it will happen more.
Vince Black
What was a 77year old doing on a moped!?