A 76-year-old man skiing died after hitting a man snowboarding, then crashing into a tree off the designated ski trail in Nasushiobara, Tochigi Prefecture, on Wednesday morning.
According to police, the incident occurred at around 10 a.m. at Hunter Mountain Shiobara ski resort. Fuji TV reported that Yoji Fukuzawa was skiing when he crashed into a nearby snowboarder and then into a zelkova tree off the trail. Fukuzawa was taken to hospital via air ambulance, where he was confirmed dead.
Police are investigating the cause of the accident.
© Japan Today
7 Comments
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A.N. Other
Died doing what he loved. Kudos.
stormcrow
I don't know anything about skiing, but shouldn't skiers and snowboarders be separated to prevent this kind of thing from happening. The techniques and dynamics between the two sports is pretty apparent, isn't it?
Geoff Gillespie
What, other than crashing into a snowboarder and a tree?
Aly Rustom
Agree, but with all due respect, (and I really don't want to sound like I'm dogging this guy) 76 years is a little old to go skiing or snowboarding. Doesn't matter how good in shape you are. Your bones break more easily and take more to heal. I do respect him for doing what he loves though. Skiing/snowboarding are not easy sports to do even when you're young..
fds
the trick is knowing your limitations. the father of miura yuichiro, the oldest guy to climb everest at 80, was skiing well into his 90's.
clamenza
No. You get to the top of a mountain, turn downwards and go. What everyone needs, but don't always have is spacial awareness. One or both of these guys didn't have it on Wednesday.
Still, 76 is too old to be skiing. Too much can happen on a fall.
nedotjp
What, other than crashing into a snowboarder and a tree?
Yes, the cause. Who was, if anybody, at fault. It reads "hitting" a snowboarder. I'm sure the snowboarder wants to be cleared of blame at least.