Automatic train travels in wrong direction, injuring about 20 in Yokohama (Credit : Mainichi)

Being on the wrong track, 20 passengers in Yokohama Automatic Train were injured

The Yokohama automatic train operated by Yokohama Seaside Line Co. crashed on Saturday (1/6/2019) yesterday. According to local firefighters, this incident occurred because of an error in direction. About 20 people were injured in this incident.

This accident began when the train was about to depart from Shin-Sugita Station at around 8:15 local time. According to the passengers, it was about to depart for Kanazawa-Hakei Station. instead of going forward, the train that operates automatically runs backward and crashes into the badug springs.

Many passengers were thrown from their seats. Some even hit the pole. Firefighters and police officers were immediately deployed to evacuate injured passengers. According to firefighters, 3 victims suffered serious injuries but did not endanger lives, while the rest suffered minor injuries. After the incident, they were all immediately taken to the hospital to get treatment.

One passenger named Kenichi Aoki (46 years) said that he was thrown from his chair when the train suddenly stopped and walked backwards. His head hit the train's handle. There were several passengers nearby who were also injured in the head. Some of them was a children who are crying.

The train runs an automatic system that connects Shin-Sugita and Kanazawa-Hakkei in Yokohama. But,as a result of this incident, Kanazawa Seaside Line operated by Yokohama Seaside Line was temporarily closed during the investigation process.