Train balanced on left wheels | 日本のニュースを英語で読むならジャパンタイムズウィークリー


	UPDATE: Saturday, June 12, 2010 The Japan Times Weekly 2005年5月7日号（バックナンバー）

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Train balanced on left wheels

Takeshi Kakiuchi

The JR West Fukuchiyama Line train that rammed into a condominium building April 25 was riding on its left wheels alone for the last 100 meters or so before it hit the building, police said May 2 as the probe into the fatal crash continued.

Japan Railway workers offer prayers at the commuter train crash site in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture.

By analyzing data from a monitoring device found in the wreckage of the seven-car West Japan Railway Co. train, the Hyogo Prefectural Police determined it was traveling at 108 kph when the driver activated the emergency brake during a right-hand curve, the officials said. The speed limit on the curved section is 70 kph.

A day before, JR West President Takeshi Kakiuchi told executives and managerial officials that ensuring safety is the only way the firm can respond to the families of victims in the train derailment, which left 107 people dead.

In his address at JR West's headquarters in Osaka, Kakiuchi added that he "would not run away from the path of pain," indicating that he wouldn't be stepping down for the time being, and called on all employees to follow him in taking steps to prevent a recurrence of such tragedies.

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