Japan - 14 injured, seven critically, in Kyoto car accident

A reminder to always be on alert when you are crossing the streets...

----------
http://www.chugoku-np.co.jp/News/Sp201204120140.html

On April 12th around 1pm, on a roadway in Higashiayama in Kyoto, a car struck a line of pedestrians crossing a street, injuring at least 14 people.

According to the Kyoto Fire Department, five are in a state of cardiac arrest, and two other women in their 60's are severely injured and unconscious. A witness dialed 119. It is said that two males, including the driver, in the light wagon car believed to have hit the pedestrians also received serious injuries.

[...]

A self-employed 29-year-old who received minor injuries said "While waiting for the light, a silver car ignored the red light and ran into the pedestrians. Then it sped away without stopping."

----------

This article (http://www.asahi.com/national/update/0412/OSK201204120049.html) claims 12 people hit and 11 seriously injured. Also has some pictures from the scene.

English story (http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/minivan-rams-into-pedestrians-in-japanese-city-of-kyoto-13-people-injured-some-critically/2012/04/12/gIQA00b6BT_story.html). Now four dead, including the driver.

The driver reportedly had epilepsy.

The driver reportedly had epilepsy.

And was allowed to drive?

And was allowed to drive?
Authorities can't stop them if they don't know about it.

English story (http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/minivan-rams-into-pedestrians-in-japanese-city-of-kyoto-13-people-injured-some-critically/2012/04/12/gIQA00b6BT_story.html). Now four dead, including the driver.

Now 7 pedestrians confirmed dead (http://www.asahi.com/national/update/0412/OSK201204120075.html).

Now 7 confirmed dead (http://www.asahi.com/national/update/0412/OSK201204120075.html).

Eight, including the driver.

That's right at the Gion Shijo crossing, very dense commerce area. I wonder if any ferners were injured or worse?

That's right at the Gion Shijo crossing, very dense commerce area. I wonder if any ferners were injured or worse?

All of the names that have been announced thusfar were Japanese.

All of the names that have been announced thusfar were Japanese.

(Some foreigners have Japanese names though.)

That's right at the Gion Shijo crossing, very dense commerce area. I wonder if any ferners were injured or worse?

According to Mainichi (http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20120413p2g00m0dm086000c.html),

Among the 11 who were injured in the accident, Eva Chang, a 57-year-old Australian woman, is in a coma, the police said, adding there is no threat to the others' lives.