EHIME, Jan 26 (News On Japan) - A high school girl suffered severe injuries after being dragged 700 meters by a 11-ton truck in a horrific accident involving her bicycle, which was left mangled beyond recognition.
The accident occurred around 8:00 AM on Thursday at an intersection in Saijo City, Ehime. The 16-year-old girl, riding her bicycle, was struck by the large truck.
The police report that the truck, after hitting the girl and her bicycle, continued to drive approximately 700 meters with them entangled.
The truck driver, a 60-year-old company employee, has been arrested on the scene for negligent driving resulting in injury.
The driver told police, "I thought I had driven over a curb, and when I checked, I found a person."
The road where the girl was dragged is straight with a good visibility, stretching from the intersection where she was hit. Surrounded by rice fields and open land, there are no significant obstructions to the view up to the convenience store parking lot where the truck eventually stopped.
The girl, who suffered multiple injuries including to her waist, chest, and legs, was airlifted to a hospital in Matsuyama City. She was conscious but sustained serious injuries, including a broken pelvis.
The police are currently investigating the cause of this tragic accident.
Source: FNN