Man killed after getting head trapped in elevator in Shizuoka

Wednesday 13th May, 02:00 PM JST

SHIZUOKA —

A resident of Numazu City in Shizuoka Prefecture died after his head got trapped between the elevator and the shaft of the building in which he worked, police said Wednesday. According to police, Kaoru Okuno, 53, a resident and owner of Shop Okuno, was killed after his head got caught between the doors of the elevator on the 2nd floor of his workshop.

According to reports, Okuno’s wife was worried when he did not return home in the evening, and went to his workshop to check on him. There, she found him dead with his head caught between the doors of the elevator on the 2nd floor.

Kyodo News Service

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Latest 15 of 19 Total Comments Show All

Den Den at 02:42 PM JST - 13th May

Jeez, his poor wife. That's nightmare material!
ronaldk at 02:44 PM JST - 13th May

Probably murder.
supercub at 02:57 PM JST - 13th May

Apparently this is how most fatal accidents involving elevators happen. It's much more common than plunging elevators (which almost never happens) and more common than falling down an elevator shaft.
dennis0bauer at 03:01 PM JST - 13th May

Strange
Yelnats at 03:04 PM JST - 13th May

I think falling down shafts is more common. And where was the safety kick back on the doors?
am1301 at 03:05 PM JST - 13th May

if it was a suicide, that's like the least pleasant way to go.
Mittsu at 03:08 PM JST - 13th May

I meant he must be a real idiot to manage this - even though there are bound to be lots of signs telling people to be careful and watch out etc.

Moderator: Readers, this is a tragic incident. Please do not post insensitive remarks.
supercub at 03:15 PM JST - 13th May

From Wikipedia:

"In June 2006, in Minato, Tokyo, 16-year old high school student was killed by a Schindler elevator. He was backing out of it with his bicycle when the elevator suddenly rose with the doors still open, crushing his skull."
franz75 at 03:17 PM JST - 13th May

supercub: no mention of any foreign company. must be made in Japan.
likeitis at 03:20 PM JST - 13th May

Bizarre and tragic.
smithinjapan at 03:30 PM JST - 13th May

likeitis: If it were Schindler that would be in the first line, rest assured. Nope, this is probably a Japanese company and hence no mention whatsoever.

Regardless, I can't figure out HOW the guy got his head stuck. I can see the incident supercub posted about, but there's no explanation here and so it's just not coming to me how this could happen.

Indeed very sad, and I feel awful for the wife, especially since she found him this way.
Samuraiiki at 03:47 PM JST - 13th May

Very macabre.
Coolasapool at 04:39 PM JST - 13th May

how the hell exactly does that happen? Im just trying to get around the logistics of that.. sounds a bit dodgy there. foul play maybe.
Fadamor at 03:46 AM JST - 14th May

Not enough details. If this was his workshop, was it a passenger elevator or a freight elevator? Some freight elevators are really sparse with the safety features.
nigelboy at 06:15 AM JST - 14th May

was killed after his head got caught between the doors of the elevator on the 2nd floor of his workshop.

No JT. This was a freight elevator that was not equipped with doors. His head was caught between the floor and the ceiling of the elevator.