YAMAGATA (Kyodo) A bullet train from Tokyo to Yamagata was stranded between Yamagata and Fukushima prefectures Saturday afternoon by a tree that fell onto the overhead wires, East Japan Railway Co. said.
About 360 passengers on Tsubasa No. 181, many of whom were headed to their hometowns or other New Year holiday destinations, were transferred to Tsubasa No. 116, which made an emergency stop, JR East said.
The accident took place at around 1:40 p.m. and partially suspended the outbound part of the Yamagata Shinkansen Line until 6:50 p.m.
The train was packed with travelers as the annual New Year's rush began Saturday. The suspension affected about 8,000 people, according to JR East.
"I heard a thudding noise, and then the train immediately came to a halt. It got dark inside but everyone remained calm," said a 45-year-old man, who was in the original train.