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Pregnant woman killed by train in Shiga

27 Comments

A pregnant woman was killed after she was hit by a train at JR Minami-Kusatsu Station in Shiga Prefecture, police said Monday.

According to police, the incident occurred at around 11 a.m. Sunday. Witnesses were quoted as saying that the 28-year-old woman was on the edge of the platform when she suddenly collapsed. As she went down, her head leaned over the edge of the platform and she was hit by an incoming limited express train arriving at the station, police said.

The woman sustained severe injuries and was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

According to police, the woman was four months pregnant. Witnesses said she appeared ill and was holding her stomach before she collapsed.

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27 Comments
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And why are there no guardrails at the platform that could have prevented her from getting hit? This was a totally preventable tragedy that JR should take responsibility .

Not everything in the world is someone's fault. If you really feel the need to attribute fault to someone, you could put it on the woman for not standing behind the yellow line as they announce before every single train - particularly if she was feeling unwell. But in all reality, it's not her fault either, it's just a really unfortunately circumstance and really sad.

21 ( +23 / -3 )

Devastating accident. Totally hit me for six as my wife had a funny turn on a station's platform when pregnant with our third child; I luckily happened to be there so was able to catch her. JHC. My sincerest thoughts to her and her child's loved ones. Extremely upsetting; when you think of how happy and excited her partner, grandparents and perhaps siblings if any would be at the thought of the new family member on their way. Phffff.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

So sad! RIP!

While I was pregnant I was extra careful and wouldn't stand close to the edge of platform. Being pregnant should always try and find a seat and be extra careful with yourself and your surroundings.

Really sad and tragic...

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Very sad, RIP

2 ( +4 / -2 )

"And why are there no guardrails at the platform that could have prevented her from getting hit? This was a totally preventable tragedy that JR should take responsibility ."

Do you really think no one has looked into this problem? They have, and they are currently testing advanced dynamic barriers. Have honestly never realized that trains are different? Different trains stop at the same station. You cant just have a railing and a door open. Because different trains have different doors and different doors that are different lengths apart.

2 ( +5 / -2 )

A very terrible freak accident and an incredibly sad tragedy. My heart goes out to the woman, her unborn child and her family.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Terrible accident!

1 ( +3 / -2 )

OMG..that's horrible...so sorry for her!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Yubaru, sounds like you live in a special place. I can't beloved you'd use this story as an opportunity to have a go at Japan. I understand your concern but get real. This is such a sad story. Rip.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

RIP. @Yubaru, how about when you are feeling ill, then not come to close to the tracks? This was an accident.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Did the woman literally collapse or just lean over for a few seconds and not realize a train was coming?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This is so tragic. RIP young lady and your baby.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Wow what a sad way to die! RIP mother and unborn child!!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

letsberealistic

The husband may have been at work (yes, even on Sunday). I can't imagine any husband can spend 24 hours a day for 10 months with a pregnant wife, unless very wealthy. I hope you become the father of more than moths!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I once saw a pregnant woman pass out on a subway in The States, it does happen. She was only out for a few seconds and when she opened her eyes she had something of a bewildered look on her face.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

There is NEVER a perfectly good excuse for a preventable death. Other countries and their methods do not matter, Japan is supposedly NOT a 3rd world country.

Do all first-world countries have gates on all train platforms? First I've heard.

Japanese rail companies ARE installing gates on their platforms, and have been for a while. It's not happened overnight because of the cost and logistics, especially for platforms that serve different kinds of trains. Tokyo Metro is currently planning to install gates in all of their stations.

If someone gets ill, falls into the street and gets hit by a bus, whose fault is that?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japan's typical problem is fixing something AFTER an accident or incident occurs.

Actually that happens in a lot of places, and not just in Japan.

With all the millions of passengers that use the Japanese rail system everyday you would think that there would be more deaths. The yellow lines are there for a reason. Safety is not the sole responsibility of the train companies. Passengers are just as responsible for taking care of themselves.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Why on Earth would someone be so close to the edge of the platform?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This is really sad and I can see how it could happen. I had a fainting spell when I was about 4-5 mths pregnant and luckily I was on the train and my husband was with me. One minute I felt fine, the next thing I knew I was on the floor with everyone looking very concerned about me. And trust me, I didnt want to get back on the train! So for this lady, it is very very unfortunate and perhaps she was standing too close to the edge of the platform. I feel for her family.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Morning sickness I guess? Its a shame no one could help her.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Do you really think no one has looked into this problem?

Yes....because this IS the land of closing the barn door after the horses run away, along with the rest of the farm as well.

The guard rails should be installed on all platforms, no excuses, none. Where I live there are automatic gates, and all platforms have walls not "rails" and have been there from the time the platforms were put into service and not an after thought.

A wall or rail would have prevented this from happening.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

There are many perfectly good excuses

There is NEVER a perfectly good excuse for a preventable death. Other countries and their methods do not matter, Japan is supposedly NOT a 3rd world country.

Japan's typical problem is fixing something AFTER an accident or incident occurs. THAT is the bigger problem, and it isnt about money either, when one considers the overall costs of building a train system and everything related to it, walls, barriers, automatic gates, and other safety measures are a drop in the bucket in the overall scheme of things.

If there was a barrier in place she would not have died.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

And why are there no guardrails at the platform that could have prevented her from getting hit? This was a totally preventable tragedy that JR should take responsibility .

-26 ( +1 / -25 )

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