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Boy, 5, Dies After Arm Is Trapped in Hokkaido Ski Travelator

Police are examining a reported safety-system failure at the Asarigawa Onsen resort.

Overview

  • Hinata Goto was pronounced dead at a hospital after being freed from the belt-style conveyor in Otaru.
  • He fell near the exit of the 30-meter, 60-centimeter-wide walkway without handrails that links the car park to the slope.
  • The belt reportedly did not stop automatically when he was caught, and his mother hit the emergency stop button.
  • Firefighters dismantled parts of the machine over about 40 minutes to extricate him, according to local reports.
  • Resort officials apologized, said staff conduct morning checks but do not station attendants by the device, and Hokkaido police are investigating possible negligence.