A Keio Line commuter train hit a car Wednesday on a grade crossing in Tokyo's Setagaya Ward, killing the car's driver and leaving four others slightly injured, police and firefighters said.
The eight-car train was running from central Tokyo's Shinjuku Station to Hachioji in the western suburbs when it hit the car at around 9:30 p.m. between Meidaimae and Daitabashi stations on the Keio Line, demolishing the vehicle, they said.
The car's only occupant was initially trapped but was later freed and rushed to hospital, where she died, they said. Four passengers in the train were taken to a hospital for neck pain and other symptoms.
The fatality was identified as Mayumi Terada, 21, a resident of Tokyo's Shibuya Ward, according to Metropolitan Police Department and Tokyo Fire Department officials.
Keio Corp., operator of the commuter line, said the first car of the train derailed and all Keio Line services were suspended until 5 a.m. Thursday. The accident led to 124 trains being canceled, affecting around 65,000 passengers, Keio said. Passengers were offered alternative transport.
No abnormalities were observed with the crossing gate, including its alarm, at the time of the accident, police and firefighters said.
The car apparently drove onto the tracks while the gate was coming down and was hit by the train, which sent it into a steel pole about 10 meters away, they said.
The train diver said the car suddenly came into view, according to the officials.
