An employee at Tokyo Dome City Attractions tragically died after becoming trapped in the mechanism of the “Flying Balloon” ride during routine maintenance.
An employee conducting routine maintenance at Tokyo Dome City Attractions in Tokyo has died after becoming trapped in the mechanism of the “Flying Balloon” ride. The incident occurred on Tuesday, as confirmed by the company.
According to the park’s statement, “During routine maintenance work on the ride, one of our employees became trapped within the ride’s gondola mechanism.” Following extensive rescue operations, the employee was transported to a hospital, where her death was later confirmed.
Local media outlet NHK World Japan identified the victim as 24-year-old Kamimura Hina. It reportedly took rescue personnel approximately five hours to free her from the mechanism, but she was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
The “Flying Balloon” is a 12-seat ride that features passengers sitting in a circle around a central pillar. The seats rotate and rise to a height of approximately 30 feet. During a monthly inspection, the seats were elevated, allowing Kamimura and five colleagues to access and inspect the ride’s mechanisms.
Tragically, it is believed that Kamimura was working on a stepladder when the raised seats unexpectedly fell, trapping her against the central pillar.
In response to the incident, the company expressed its condolences, stating, “We offer our deepest prayers for the repose of the deceased employee’s soul, and we extend our profound condolences and apologies to their bereaved family.” They also apologized to customers and stakeholders for the anxiety caused by the accident.
The corporation has announced a full-scale investigation into the cause of the accident, working in coordination with relevant authorities, including police and the fire department. Operations at all attractions within the amusement park have been suspended until further notice, as the company dedicates its efforts to thoroughly investigate the incident and implement measures to prevent a recurrence.
This tragic event highlights the inherent risks associated with amusement park operations and the importance of stringent safety protocols during maintenance work.
According to NHK World Japan, the investigation will focus on the safety measures in place at the time of the incident.