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Five-Year-Old Dies After Getting Arm Stuck in Ski Resort Escalator in Japan

Published December 29, 2025, 12:24
Five-Year-Old Dies After Getting Arm Stuck in Ski Resort Escalator in Japan

A tragic accident occurred at a ski resort in Japan, resulting in the death of a five-year-old boy. Hinata Goto was preparing to descend from a moving walkway at the “Asarigawa Onsen Ski Resort” in Hokkaido when he fell and his arm became trapped in the machine. Despite his mother immediately pressing the emergency stop button and a 40-minute rescue effort, the boy was unconscious and later died in hospital. The ski escalator was equipped with a safety mechanism, which however did not activate immediately. The incident has caused shock and raised questions about the safety of ski escalators and the effectiveness of safety mechanisms. Other visitors had previously reported stumbling on the same walkway, which exacerbates concerns. Police are investigating to determine if there was negligence in the construction or maintenance of the escalator. The walkway, 30 meters long and 60 centimeters wide, operates without handrails and connects the parking lot to the ski slopes. The investigation will also examine whether all safety protocols were followed. The management of the Asarigawa Onsen Ski Resort has expressed its deepest sorrow for the tragic incident and pledged to take all necessary measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again. The incident has highlighted the need for stricter safety checks and upgrades to protection mechanisms at ski resorts.