FUKUSHIMA, May 10 (News On Japan) –
Police searched the workplaces of a bus firm on May eighth following a crash on the Banetsu Expressway in Fukushima Prefecture on May sixth that left one highschool scholar lifeless and 20 others injured, with the motive force of the microbus claiming he was not asleep on the wheel.
Investigators from Fukushima Prefectural Police entered the headquarters of Kanbara Tetsudo in Niigata Prefecture shortly after 8 a.m. on May eighth as authorities launched an investigation that might contain violations of the Road Transport Act.
The accident occurred on May sixth on the inbound lanes of the Banetsu Expressway whereas a microbus carrying members of the Hokuriku High School boys’ delicate tennis crew was touring from Niigata City to Tomioka Town in Fukushima Prefecture for apply matches.
Third-year scholar Hiroto Inagaki, 17, was killed within the crash, whereas 20 others, together with college students, had been injured.
The driver, 68-year-old Tetsuo Wakayama, who was initially hospitalized following the accident, was arrested on the night of May seventh on suspicion of negligent driving leading to loss of life and harm.
Wakayama reportedly admitted duty for the crash, telling police: “I caused the accident. I misjudged the speed. I was driving at around 90 to 100 kilometers per hour.”
Police mentioned the scene confirmed no clear skid marks or proof of sudden steering maneuvers, elevating the chance that the motive force might not have observed the approaching collision till impression.
Investigators additionally revealed that Wakayama denied falling asleep whereas driving, saying: “I was not drowsy driving.”
Authorities additional found that Wakayama didn’t possess the particular second-class driver’s license required for transporting paying passengers.
Kanbara Tetsudo had deliberate to carry a press convention on May eighth, however canceled it after the police search started.
Company president Kazuhiro Shigeno mentioned: “Because the investigation is underway, we can no longer hold the press conference. The search is continuing, so we are unable to comment.”
Sharp disagreements have since emerged between the bus firm and Hokuriku High School concerning how the rental car and driver had been organized.
According to Kanbara Tetsudo, the college requested a less expensive transportation choice as an alternative of a chartered bus.
Shigeno defined: “The school told us they wanted to use a rental vehicle rather than a chartered bus this time. They also said there was no one at the school capable of driving this type of microbus, so they asked whether we could introduce a driver.”
The faculty, nonetheless, strongly denied these claims.
Principal Masahiro Haino mentioned the college’s adviser for the boys’ delicate tennis crew contacted the corporate in early April and requested a chartered bus within the normal method, offering particulars reminiscent of passenger numbers, departure instances, and locations.
Haino acknowledged: “The adviser confirmed that no such comments were made regarding arranging a rental car or requesting a driver.”
Kanbara Tetsudo staff steered monetary issues might have led to using a rental car.
Sales consultant Kenji Kaneko mentioned: “There are always budget discussions among parents and teachers. Using a green-license chartered bus costs more, so they wanted something cheaper, which eventually led to the rental vehicle.”
When requested whether or not the college requested decrease prices, Kaneko replied: “Yes.”
The firm claimed it accepted the association regardless of making little or no revenue in hopes of sustaining future enterprise ties with the college.
The faculty once more rejected the reason, with Haino saying: “That is not true. We confirmed this directly with the club adviser.”
Parents who attended an emergency assembly following the accident expressed confusion over the conflicting explanations.
One dad or mum mentioned: “It feels like either the adviser or Kanbara Tetsudo is saying something that isn’t true.”
Further scrutiny has additionally fallen on the method used to pick Wakayama and prepare the rental car.
According to Tainai City in Niigata Prefecture, Wakayama had labored as a municipal microbus driver for 3 years via 2024, transporting youngsters round 4 or 5 instances per thirty days.
Residents additionally mentioned faculty microbuses had beforehand been parked at his dwelling, and he had reportedly coached athletics groups at one other highschool in Niigata Prefecture.
The bus firm acknowledged that Wakayama had been launched via a private reference to a gross sales worker and that no checks had been carried out concerning pre-existing medical circumstances or previous accident historical past.
Kaneko additionally admitted he personally rented the car below his personal title.
When requested whether or not somebody whose driver’s license had not been offered was legally permitted to function the car, Kaneko responded: “Is that so? I’m sorry. I didn’t know that.”
The firm additional admitted there have been no written contracts or formal paperwork concerning the association, describing it as a verbal settlement.
The faculty additionally acknowledged that such practices had turn into commonplace for membership actions and apply matches.
Haino mentioned: “We have been told that written agreements are generally not exchanged for these kinds of trips. This is not something that would normally happen in standard business practice, and we believe there is a need to review contractor selection and safety management procedures.”
The case has raised broader questions in regards to the administration of faculty sports activities journeys throughout Japan and whether or not the deadly accident may have been prevented.
Source: YOMIURI