A limited express train collided with a brown bear on the Soya Line in Hokkaido late on the night of October 30. The bear became trapped underneath the train, causing the wheels of the lead car to derail.
The Japan Transport Safety Board dispatched two railway accident investigators to the scene.
According to Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido), this is the first time one of its trains has derailed following a collision with a brown bear since the company was established in 1987.
The Sarobetsu No. 3 on October 31 (Courtesy of JR Hokkaido)
Train services between Wakkanai and Otoineppu remained suspended throughout November 1, with replacement buses operating between Asahikawa and Wakkanai.
The accident occurred at around 10:50 PM on October 30, between Teshio-Nakagawa and Toikanbetsu stations. The four-car Sarobetsu No. 3 limited express, traveling from Asahikawa to Wakkanai, struck the bear, which became trapped beneath the train. The impact caused the wheels of the lead car to derail.
As there was a possibility that other bears were nearby, all 32 passengers remained on board while the train was stopped at the scene.
No passengers or crew members were injured. By around 9:30 AM on October 31, all passengers had been transferred to taxis arranged by JR Hokkaido.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: The Sankei Shimbun
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