In March of last year, a Hozugawa Kudari boat capsized in Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture, killing two boatmen. Police said that the accident was caused by another boatman falling into the river just before the accident. The boatman was referred to the prosecutor's office on suspicion of causing death or injury due to professional negligence.
Last March, on the Hozugawa River in Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture, a boat carrying 29 people, including tourists and boatmen, hit a rock and capsized, throwing everyone into the river and the two male boatmen. In addition, 19 passengers ranging in age from 8 to 64 suffered hypothermia, bruises, and other injuries.
In addition to the deceased boatman, there were two other boatmen on board, and the 37-year-old boatman at the rear of the boat fell into the river just before the accident, and the boat then hit a rock.
As a result, the police said that the boatman who was behind the boat took the helm carelessly without taking a proper stance, causing him to lose his balance and fall into the river, making it difficult to control the boat. On the 22nd, the documents were sent to prosecutors on suspicion of
In response to police investigation, the boatman reportedly admitted to the charges, saying, ``I had problems with my posture and the way I rowed the boat, and I was unable to keep the center of gravity inside the boat.''
After the accident, the company took measures to prevent a recurrence, including improving the boat and installing highly safe life jackets, and resumed operations approximately four months after the accident.
Hozu River Pleasure Boat Enterprise Association ``Thorough safety measures to prevent accidents from happening again''
Regarding the boatman's submission of documents to the prosecutor's office, Tomoya Toyoda, representative director of the Hozugawa Amusement Boat Enterprise Association, said, ``We deeply regret that the accident has caused great physical and mental pain and economic damage to our customers.'' We would like to offer our apologies. We also offer our sincere prayers for the repose of the souls of the two boatmen who lost their precious lives in the accident, and we would like to express our deepest condolences to the bereaved families."
He added, ``We take this announcement very seriously, have reflected on it more deeply than ever, and are strongly aware of our responsibility to ensure even safer operation.Learning from the accident, each boatman will further increase his awareness of safe operation, and we will continue to do so.'' We will strengthen our guidance and awareness.We will continue to thoroughly implement safety measures to prevent accidents from happening again, and will work wholeheartedly to restore trust.''