81-year-old man seriously injured in fall while mushroom picking in Nagano forest
In short
An 81-year-old man was seriously injured on Oct 4 when he slipped down a slope while picking mushrooms in a forest in Otaki Village, Nagano Prefecture. He was with two companions, who called the fire department just after noon, and was rescued about an hour and a half later with injuries including a fractured left elbow. Officials said the site was about 50 metres into the woods from a village road.
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An 81-year-old self-employed man living in Kiso Town, Nagano Prefecture, was seriously injured on Oct 4 when he slipped down a slope while picking mushrooms in a forest in Otaki Village, Kiso District, Nippon TV News and Livedoor News reported. He was rescued and taken to a hospital in Kiso District with injuries including a fractured left elbow, the two outlets said. [ 2 , 3 ]
Just after noon, a companion called the fire department to report that the man had slipped in the mountains during mushroom picking, according to the two outlets. The man had been picking mushrooms with two others; he lost his footing, slid down the slope and became unable to move, they said. Fire officials said the site was about 50 metres into the forest from a village road. [ 2 , 3 ]
The man was rescued by firefighters about one and a half hours after the call and transported to hospital, Nippon TV News and Livedoor News reported. [ 2 , 3 ]
TBS News DIG reported that the man slipped just after noon and was injured, including to the head, and that his injuries were not life-threatening; it described him as living within Kiso District. Its feed summary did not mention the fractured elbow or specify where the man was taken. [ 1 ]
Why it matters
The incident points to the risks of mushroom foraging in mountain forests, where help can be some distance away. Rescue took about an hour and a half because the man had gone roughly 50 metres off a village road, according to fire officials.
Key facts
- An 81-year-old self-employed man slipped on a slope while mushroom picking in a forest in Otaki Village, Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture, on Oct 4. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- He was picking mushrooms with two companions, making a group of three. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- A companion called the fire department just after noon to report that he had slipped in the mountains. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- He was rescued by firefighters about one and a half hours after the call and taken to a hospital in Kiso District. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Nippon TV and Livedoor News reported he suffered serious injuries including a fractured left elbow. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Fire officials said the scene was about 50 metres into the forest from a village road. [ 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- An 81-year-old man slipped and fell on a slope while picking mushrooms with two companions in a forest in Otaki Village, Nagano Prefecture, on Oct 4. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- A companion reported the fall to the fire department just after noon. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The man was rescued and transported to a hospital in Kiso District. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The severity of the man’s injuries. TBS News DIG reported injuries including to the head and said there was no threat to his life, while Nippon TV and Livedoor News reported serious injuries including a fractured left elbow.
- Where the man lives. TBS News DIG said he lives in Kiso District, while Nippon TV and Livedoor News said he lives in Kiso Town.
- Nippon TV and Livedoor News reported he was seriously injured, including a fractured left elbow. Reported by a single source so far
- Fire officials said the location was about 50 metres into the forest from a village road. Reported by a single source so far
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- A companion calls the fire department shortly after noon to report that a man had slipped in the mountains while picking mushrooms, at a spot in the forest in Otaki Village’s Kuzuregoshi area. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The man is rescued by firefighters about one and a half hours after the call and taken to a hospital in Kiso District. [ 2 , 3 ]
- TBS News DIG reports the incident. [ 1 ]
- Nippon TV News and Livedoor News report the incident. [ 2 , 3 ]