Child killed in ski resort travelator accident in Japan's Hokkaido

A five-year-old boy has died while on a ski holiday in Hokkaido, Japan, after his arm became trapped in a travelator at a ski resort.

Hinata Goto was about to step off the travelator at Asarigawa Onsen Ski Resort in Otaru when he fell, and his right arm became caught in the machinery, according to police, BBC reports.

 Although the travelator was equipped with a safety mechanism designed to stop the machine if it detected an obstruction, it reportedly failed to activate. The device only halted when Hinata’s mother pressed the emergency stop button.

Rescue workers spent 40 minutes dismantling part of the travelator to free the boy, who had fallen unconscious by that time. He was subsequently pronounced dead at a hospital.

A resort spokesperson stated that the safety mechanism had functioned earlier in the day. Installed approximately six years ago, the travelator is about 30 metres (98 feet) long and 60 centimetres (24 inches) wide, with no handrails, and connects the resort’s car park to the ski slopes.

Police are investigating the incident to determine whether professional negligence may have played a role, including potential issues in the manufacturing or maintenance of the travelator.

Japanese media also reported that other visitors have stumbled while using the same travelator. “Even as an adult, there are times when I think, ‘It’s a little scary,’” a regular visitor said.

A representative of the resort expressed deep regret over the accident and said that measures will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Hokkaido, known as Japan’s ski capital, attracts millions of visitors annually, with the majority coming during the winter months for ski holidays.

By Vafa Guliyeva