Car hits tour bus and other vehicles in Fujisawa, Japan; woman, 77, dies, 14 hospitalised

A passenger car collided with a tour bus and other vehicles at an intersection in Honmachi, Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, at about 9 a.m. on 19 October. A passer-by called 119 to report a crash involving a car, a taxi and a bus. According to Kanagawa prefectural police's Fujisawa station, as reported by Jiji Press and Nikkei, 14 people were taken to hospital and a 77-year-old woman who had been in the car died. [ 9 , 13 , 23 ]

Police said the car, driven by the woman's 77-year-old husband, crossed into the oncoming lane and hit two vehicles including a taxi. It then entered the intersection against a red light and hit the bus, which was pushed into a van. Debris from the crash struck a light car, according to Jiji Press, Yomiuri Shimbun and Nikkei. Asahi Shimbun said the car hit the right rear of the bus. The husband was also injured. [ 9 , 13 , 15 , 23 ]

The people taken to hospital were two in the car, 11 bus passengers in their 60s to 80s and a man in his 20s from another vehicle, Jiji Press and Nikkei reported. Apart from the woman who died, none of the injured was in a life-threatening condition. Asahi Shimbun said the bus was carrying 38 group passengers to Sagamihara, while Tokyo Shimbun said 39 people were aboard including the driver. [ 9 , 11 , 13 , 23 ]

Early reports differed from later ones. Nippon TV reported at 10:23 that three vehicles were involved and 13 people were taken to hospital, one in cardiopulmonary arrest, citing the fire department. TBS put the number at 14 by 11:50. Counts of vehicles later ranged from five (Asahi Shimbun, Jiji Press, Nikkei) to six (Tokyo Shimbun, Nishi-Nippon Shimbun). Yomiuri Shimbun reported 13 people taken to hospital. [ 1 , 8 , 9 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 15 , 23 ]

TBS reported security camera footage near the intersection showing a bus crossing and a dark car approaching at high speed. Police told the outlet that a 77-year-old man who lives in the city was driving. In voluntary questioning, the driver said the car accelerated more than he expected and he panicked, TBS reported. NHK reported that the driver, in his 70s, told police he tried to accelerate slightly while driving, the car accelerated more than expected, and in surprise he pressed the accelerator harder. [ 19 , 29 , 31 ]

Police plan to question the husband with a view to a charge of negligent driving causing death and injury, Jiji Press, Yomiuri Shimbun and Nikkei reported. Asahi Shimbun said police intend to wait for him to recover before asking for a detailed account of the circumstances. [ 9 , 13 , 15 , 23 ]