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Twelve university students suffered injuries after they minivan they were riding in overturned on Yamate street in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on Monday morning.
Police said the minivan was carrying too many passengers; seven of the students were in the luggage compartment, Fuji TV reported. The minivan has seating for only six. According to police, there were eight men and four women in the van.
The van overturned in Nakaochiai at around 3:35 a.m. and came to rest on a sidewalk. All 12 occupants, who are in their 20s, suffered injuries and were taken to hospital.
The students are members of a dance club at their university, and they were on the way to Hino City for a video shoot at the time of the accident.
The site of the accident is a straight four-lane street, gradually sloping downward.
Police said they will question the driver over a possible violation of the road traffic law, after he recovers from his injuries.
© Japan Today
14 Comments
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TheGodfather
Why am I wondering if there is more to this story? Because it was 03:35!!! :-)
A.N. Other
Parents let their kids romp around the back of the MPV like it's the chimpanzee enclosure, so I wouldn't be surprised if the cops turned a blind eye to this.
SenseNotSoCommon
So, should we be surprised if this behaviour seems perfectly normal for them? Same with undisciplined child cyclists who graduate to motorised transport.
Doubt we'll hear any more about this.
Commodore Shmidlap (Retired)
Probably because you didn't read this part:
A.N. Other
Maybe they were rehearsing in the back of the minivan causing it to tip over?
TheGodfather
So you're the one. There's always one. Who believes what they read in the news. No one is going to TELL YOU what they were REALLY up to.
You just have to guess!! ;-)
sillygirl
What university do these brainiacs attend. That is what I would like to know.
nandakandamanda
It only takes one to mess with the steering wheel, sillygirl.
The article fails to mention that the charge being considered by the police is breaking the maximum passenger number limit for that vehicle. Not much else they can think of, I should think. The TV news also reported that the van had just been rented before they trashed it.
DaDude
I had a van in college too and remember packing way more than could fit to go clubbing or to a Lakers game. That's how broke out of state college students roll, leech off the person with the wheels.
Wc626
@DaDude. Nice . . . you guys prob threw killer "Tailgaters" too.
IfeelImust
Years ago I put 3 50kg bags of cement in the back of my then Mini, moved off a little slugishly but would'nt stop. I learned there and then overloading is dangerious.
sf2k
possible violation??
sensei258
I often see hip hop dance groups practicing in Hachioji Station very early in the morning, before the trains start running. It conveniently located, and there are wide-open, well-lit spaces the like to use. Maybe they were planning to rehearse first.