Utsunomiya [Japan], January 4: A multi-vehicle accident involving 12 cars occurred in eastern Japan after tea leaves spilled from a moving truck, causing vehicles behind it to skid, Kyodo News reported, citing local police.
The incident took place on a two-lane road in Sano, Tochigi Prefecture, where tea leaves were scattered over a 500-metre stretch. Four people were taken to hospital, one of whom later died.
The deceased, a 78-year-old from Saitama Prefecture, was struck by an oncoming vehicle after stepping outside his truck. The injuries of the three others were reported as non-life-threatening.
The truck carrying the tea leaves had been travelling from Ashikaga toward Sano. The exact time of the crash remains unclear, but an emergency call to police was reportedly made at around 5:40 a.m.
Authorities temporarily closed the road, using heavy machinery and shovels to remove the wet tea leaves that had adhered to the surface. (ANI)
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