KAGOSHIMA, Apr 29, 2025 (News On Japan) - A 100-year-old man driving a passenger car fell approximately 10 meters into a riverbed in Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, but survived without life-threatening injuries.
According to the fire department, shortly after noon today, a passenger car plunged into a river from the Iou Valley Bridge in the Kirishima Onsen area. The vehicle fell about 10 meters to the riverbed below and overturned.
The incident was detected by an automatic crash notification system that alerts manufacturers when airbags deploy. Upon receiving the alert, the manufacturer reported the accident to the fire department.
Firefighters descended to the riverbed using a ladder and rescued the man trapped inside the overturned vehicle. The driver, a 100-year-old resident of Kagoshima Prefecture, had been alone in the car.
At the time of rescue, the man was conscious and able to speak, and authorities confirmed that his life was not in danger.
The site is near the Iou Valley hot springs in the Kirishima Onsen area, where the road has a series of curves. Police believe the vehicle fell from just before the bridge and are investigating the circumstances of the accident.
At the time of the accident, the area was reportedly covered in dense fog.
Source: TBS
