Train wheels 'were airborne'

2005-05-01 09:03

Tokyo - Police investigating Japan's deadliest railway crash in decades believe the commuter train's lead car was going so fast it had tipped to one side before derailing and smashing into an apartment building, reports said on Sunday.

Authorities examining the tracks at the crash site found scrapes along the outside rails but none on the inside, the national Yomiuri, Japan's largest newspaper, said, citing anonymous police sources.

That suggests the lead railway car had tipped so far to one side as it hit a curve in the tracks that half its wheels were airborne - matching what passengers have said about last Monday's accident. Police refused to comment.

Survivors riding at the front of the train have told TV networks that the car had pitched to such a steep angle that passengers were unable to remain standing without holding onto rings dangling above.

The West Japan Railway Co commuter train skipped the tracks at Amagasaki, an industrial city about 402km west of Tokyo, and slammed into an apartment house. Of the roughly 580 passengers, 107 people died and more than 460 others were injured.

90 seconds behind schedule

The wreck was Japan's worst rail disaster since a three-train crash in November 1963 killed 161 in Tsurumi, outside Tokyo.

Investigators reportedly believe the 23-year-old driver was going faster than 100km/h, far above the speed limit on that stretch of track, after overshooting a station by 40m. He was 90 seconds behind schedule - a significant delay in Japan - and many believe he was trying to make up for lost time.

Authorities investigating possible negligence have searched the offices of West Japan Railway Co, the train's operator.

JR West President Takeshi Kakiuchi on Sunday gathered more than 200 employees at the company's offices in Osaka to pledge steps to improve safety.

"We must thoroughly inspect the problems with our operations to regain the public's trust," Kakiuchi said.

Kakiuchi acknowledged on Friday that psychological pressure might have contributed to the accident, and suggested a need to improve driver training, after railway union officials described how errant drivers are berated by their superiors. JR West officials said Saturday they are considering changes to the tight train timetables to give trains more leeway for delays.

- AP