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One dead, 32 injured after train, truck collide at rail crossing in Yokohama

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There were 4 emergency stop buttons - which anybody nearby could have pushed to alert the oncoming train - but nobody acted even though it was obvious that the truck was in trouble. This was inexcusable.

It's not uncommon for Japanese people to "mind their own business" to an unreasonable degree.

You have to pay hefty fines for pressing those buttons.

Only when there isn't an emergency.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

You have to pay hefty fines for pressing those buttons.

Definitely no fine in an emergency. A few months ago I was at a crossing as the guards came down and an old man was walking through and got his foot stuck in the road at the track! As I got out of my car to rush to get him out a lady in a house nearby ran out and pushed the emergency stop. The train stopped and the the conductor walked along the track and the fire department was there within a few minutes. It was a long time to get him settled then get things moving. The fireman walked me back to my car and the lady who pushed the button told me next time to push the button before going on to the track. I just hadn’t thought of it, my mind was only on getting that old man out!

There were others in cars that sat there nobody thought to sound the emergency button. I suppose the same was in this case. I shudder to think if she hadn’t noticed from her house!

8 ( +8 / -0 )

There were 4 emergency stop buttons - which anybody nearby could have pushed to alert the oncoming train - but nobody acted even though it was obvious that the truck was in trouble. This was inexcusable.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Very unfortunate accident. My thoughts are with the people involved.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I looks like the lorry was too big to make the turn and got stuck due to the narrow road. I bet the driver was following a satnav, it shouldn't have been down that narrow lane in the first place.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Keikyu rail is a wider gauge than JR and others. Also, the curves are banked steeply to enable higher speeds.

As far as I know all Keikyu grade crossings utilize IR light beam sensors to detect pedestrians or vehicles within the crossing. When activated the red X will start flashing up the track to notify the train of danger.

Was this system working?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Saitama: Nice one. I appreciate that you took action instead of simply sitting in your car like the Japanese people did.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

News now: The truck could not make the turn. Had to back out and got nailed.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I understand it's an additional hassle for them but since vehicles like big trucks, busses, anything pulling a trailer are more likely to get stuck, they should refrain from using unsupervised railway crossings.

but nobody acted

I was not aware about the 4 buttons... People in the street are not trained for that. Then not sure that would have been enough.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Update to my earlier post; according to Japan Times

"The truck is believed to have been stuck on the crossing before the accident, according to the police."

1 ( +7 / -6 )

The very basic rail crossings a re simply not enough for lines which carry high speed express trains and the Shinkansen's. Otherwise the trains need to reduce speeds at them.

This has absolutely nothing to do with speed of the trains. I guarantee that the laws regarding train speeds are some of the most strict and safe things that exist.

Trains passing this level crossing are typically travelling around 120 kph.

Trains that run on this line can run at a maximum of 120 kph. However this was right outside a station, I guarantee it was only running at around 80 kph or less since its the law when passing through a station with no split grades. (The train was on the same line that's next to the platform)

Sorry for the surviving members who will most likely have to pay damages. 

Train companies only go after surviving family members if the accident was something preventable (like a premeditated suicide) This was just that; an accident. It's what insurance is for.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Tragic. I hope everyone makes a quick and full recovery.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

@zichi

First, Shinkansen do not have railway crossings at all. Secondly this line has been running in maximum 120km/h since 1995. Lastly level crossing are not a problem if people actually obey the rule that you have to stop when the sticks are down. It would be impractical for trains to reduce speeds since the existing timetables was built among the max speed. Of course it would be nice to put this section of railway elevated or underground, or just close the level crossing, but many more issues will remain.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Shinkansen does not have the level crossing. It goes underground or sky rail at residential area. Only local trains have, such as obsolete level crossing. The Government should be thinking about the permanent removal of level crossing and replace with underground at the level crossing. Some drivers are so stupid to try their luck at the level crossing and get killed or injure.

We have many accidents involving car and truck at a railway level crossing and many casualties in our Victoria state. So the Victoria State Government has started a project in 2017 to remove all of 75 Railway level crossings and replace with underground crossing or sky rail crossing. Currently, 29 of 75 Railway level crossings have been removed and replaced with underground crossing or sky rail. Since then, the accident has reduced dramatically and now rarely seen news about the railway level crossing accident on TV. The Victoria has a level crossing accident at least once per week before removal of 29 railway level crossings.

However, the cost of removal of 75 Railway level crossings comes with a hefty budget of AU$ 6.6 billion dollars but it will save many lives. It expects the cost to be blown out.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It isn't every day that you see something like this happening on Japan's rail network.

I'm glad that there hasn't been any reported deaths from this incident. From the footage it could've easily been a lot worse and I'm quite surprised that it wasn't.

0 ( +11 / -11 )

that look horrible from the photo thank god no one is dead

0 ( +8 / -8 )

NHK is now reporting 34 injured, including 2 seriously and one ( the truck driver) critically injured.

Trains passing this level crossing are typically travelling around 120 kph.

The truck driver is 67 years old.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Trains that run on this line can run at a maximum of 120 kph. However this was right outside a station, I guarantee it was only running at around 80 kph or less since its the law when passing through a station with no split grades.

NHK says,

京急によりますと、この区間は通常、時速120キロで走行する場所で、高速で走行中にトラックと衝突した可能性があるということです。

According to Keikyu, this section of track is a place where trains normally run at 120kph, meaning it is possible the train hit the truck while travelling at high speed.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20190905/k10012064831000.html?utm_int=detail_contents_news-related_001

0 ( +5 / -5 )

A Japanese media tells a truck entered the crossing while gate was opening and the truck had some kind of trouble and stuck inside the crossing. The truck managed to move again but it was too late. In the metropolitan areas, trains run in very short intervals with high speed. When cars get stuck in the crossing, they do not have much time to escape.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

I really hope they don't slow down the Keikyu line because of this. It takes long enough to get to Shinagawa as it is. I doubt this would have been any less tragic if the train had been doing 80.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Traffic rules say cars has to stop in front of the train crossings and have to check trains coming or not. I wonder the truck stopped before entering the crossing. Condolences to the victims.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

@zichi

Yes: But technically Akita and Yamagata Shinkansen are not real Shinkansen. They run on local lines converted to semi-high speed use, to shorten the travel times without building a completely separate and expensive "full" high speed line. They are limited by the conditions of the extsisting line and are only able to do 60-90 km on average, but of course the trains are totally capable of 300km+ once they enter the real high speed lines. But still, people and level crossing are the problem, not the speed. Blaming the speed is misguided.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Every rail crossing I have seen in my neck of the woods the guards go down ages before the train comes. I avoid crossings like the plague because of this often taking a long detour to get on an over or under pass. I simply cannot imagine how there was not enough time for all sorts of things to happen to prevent this accident unless the timing of the guards is very different in Yokohama.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

damn, that looks really bad. Wonder what happened.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Most recent news report from NHK has stated that the 67 year old driver of the truck has died from his injuries.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Very sad for all involved. Sorry for the surviving members who will most likely have to pay damages. The company too will suffer setback as they may not have enough insurance coverage. I wish JT would post details on this in addition to the story and explain to us how this works in Japan.

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

Sad.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

I hope I don't get flack for saying this but I'm surprised that there are so few casualties (thank God). Train accidents usually results in dozens of casualties but thankfully only one was killed. In my experience in commuting on trains, I've sometimes seen people trying to beat the warning signs on train crossings like its a sign to go faster but have fortunately not seen anyone get hurt. Unfortunate accident, condolences to the victims. I also feel sorry for the farmers who grew those oranges, I hope they're still useful.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

There were 4 emergency stop buttons - which anybody nearby could have pushed to alert the oncoming train - but nobody acted even though it was obvious that the truck was in trouble. This was inexcusable.

You have to pay hefty fines for pressing those buttons.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

So, how did the truck end up on the tracks in front of the train? There are boom gates at that crossing. Did he have a mechanical failure, tried to push his luck with timing or was it deliberate?

-4 ( +9 / -13 )

 I wish JT would post details on this in addition to the story and explain to us how this works in Japan.

Would be quite weird if they were to go into details like that when an accident just happened.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Rescue and Repairing Work after train collides with truck in Yokohama

https://youtu.be/_ZTJ5Cv3LiA

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Age of orange truck driver? Or was he on his phone or just stupidly rushing?

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

Keikyu runs very fast in the midst of housing areas. When I use Keikyu I always feel dangers and people who live along the line may be annoyed by the noises a lot.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

the crossing is a big one and equipped with sensors and alarms.. its highly unlikely truck was actually stuck, but probably entered just before collision.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

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