Tokyo, Jan 1 (NationPress) A train crashed into a vehicle at a railway crossing on the JR Utsunomiya Line in Shiraoka City, Saitama Prefecture, on Thursday, as reported by police and fire officials, who noted that the train might have derailed following the collision.

The incident took place at approximately 2:20 PM local time when the train impacted the car as it was traversing the crossing, resulting in significant destruction to the vehicle, according to local authorities, as detailed by Xinhua news agency. A man was trapped inside the car, prompting rescue efforts by the fire department. Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries among the train's passengers.

As per JR East, the train operator, the train driver indicated after the collision that "the train may have derailed," and investigations into the specifics of the incident are currently ongoing.

The accident has caused a suspension of services on the Shonan-Shinjuku Line, affecting both the up and down lines between Shinjuku Station and Utsunomiya Station.

In a separate incident last month, Bullet train services along the Tohoku Shinkansen Line in northeastern Japan were temporarily halted after a swan was observed on the tracks, according to a report from Kyodo News citing the railway operator.

At around 10:20 AM, the driver of a train traveling between Kurikoma-Kogen and Furukawa stations in Kurihara, Miyagi Prefecture, halted operations due to the bird's presence on the tracks. Thankfully, the train did not collide with the swan. JR East confirmed that three trains were delayed as a result, affecting around 1,300 passengers.

The East Japan Railway Company (JR East) stated that services were briefly paused for both tracks from Kurikoma-Kogen to Sendai while the swan was removed, with operations resuming approximately 40 minutes later.

JR East notes that the Tohoku Shinkansen began its operations in 1982, connecting Tokyo with Shin-Aomori and covering the longest distance of any line operated by the company. It also provides direct service with other lines, including the Hokkaido Shinkansen, linking Shin-Aomori and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto.

The Shinkansen is globally recognized for its speed and outstanding punctuality.

"The Shinkansen can reach speeds of up to 177 miles per hour. If one were to take the Shinkansen directly from New York to Los Angeles, the journey would take just 14 hours! This remarkable speed was achieved through a combination of innovative solutions: an aerodynamic design for the train body, tracks that navigate Japan's mountainous terrain with minimal curves, and an advanced Automatic Train Control system that ensures trains operate at their maximum safe speed throughout the journey," states the high-speed rail operator from Japan.

It highlights that since the commencement of Shinkansen operations, there have been zero accidents leading to fatalities or injuries for passengers onboard.