Name: Anonymous 2007-05-06 5:54 ID:W4U7Y0FV
TOKYO: One woman died and more than a dozen people were injured in a roller coaster accident on Saturday at a crowded Japanese theme park, police and fire officials said.
Several passengers were thrown from the ride when it derailed and crashed into a fence, said officials at the theme park in Osaka prefecture.
The local fire department said one woman died and all 21 surviving passengers were taken to hospital for injuries and observation following the accident, which occurred on a national holiday.
Park officials later found parts of broken wheel shafts on the ground.
"This fatal accident, a serious accident, occurred on Children's Day, which should be a happy time for all. We have had no accident for the past 35 years," said park president Saburo Yamada.
"But we caused the fatal accident. As the man responsible for the accident, I don't know what to say to apologise.
"I sincerely apologise to the public that we have caused them such a trouble," he said.
A dozen people who witnessed the accident from the ground were also taken to hospital feeling unwell, officials said.
- AFP/so
Several passengers were thrown from the ride when it derailed and crashed into a fence, said officials at the theme park in Osaka prefecture.
The local fire department said one woman died and all 21 surviving passengers were taken to hospital for injuries and observation following the accident, which occurred on a national holiday.
Park officials later found parts of broken wheel shafts on the ground.
"This fatal accident, a serious accident, occurred on Children's Day, which should be a happy time for all. We have had no accident for the past 35 years," said park president Saburo Yamada.
"But we caused the fatal accident. As the man responsible for the accident, I don't know what to say to apologise.
"I sincerely apologise to the public that we have caused them such a trouble," he said.
A dozen people who witnessed the accident from the ground were also taken to hospital feeling unwell, officials said.
- AFP/so