29th December 2025 – (Otaru) A five-year-old boy in Japan has died after his arm became trapped in an outdoor motorised conveyor lift at a ski resort in Hokkaido on Saturday, 28th December. He was unconscious when rescuers freed him and later succumbed to his injuries in hospital.
According to reports by Japan’s public broadcaster NHK and TBS Television, police said the incident occurred at the Asarigawa Onsen Ski Resort in Otaru, Hokkaido. The conveyor-type lift, used to transport visitors from the car park to the ski slopes, was in operation when the boy fell near the upper exit section. His right arm became stuck in a gap in the machinery.
The local fire department received an emergency call from the boy’s family at around 10am. Rescue crews rushed to the scene and worked for approximately 40 minutes before managing to free the child. He was taken to hospital in an unconscious state and was later pronounced dead as a result of severe injuries.
Staff at the ski resort told reporters that there are usually no employees stationed in the immediate vicinity of the conveyor lift. Police and fire officials have launched a joint investigation to determine the precise circumstances of the accident, including safety measures, supervision arrangements and the operation of the equipment at the time of the incident.
AloJapan.com