Niigata high school denies past rental car use following Iwate Expressway microbus crash
Officials confirm no rental vehicles were requested for previous expeditions, though the full scope of the inquiry into the Fukushima incident remains open
A second press conference was convened on the evening of 10 May by a Niigata Prefecture high school to address public speculation following a microbus accident on the Iwate Expressway in Fukushima. During the briefing, officials stated that internal investigations had confirmed the institution had never requested a rental car for any previous school trips.
This statement directly counters emerging narratives regarding the school's transport history in the wake of the crash. The incident involved twenty-one high school students from Niigata who were travelling on a microbus for a club expedition. While the school has now provided clarity on past rental arrangements, the broader context of the accident remains under scrutiny.
Reports indicate that the bus company has denied operating the vehicle involved in the incident. Furthermore, there have been separate reports suggesting the microbus had a history of frequent repair requests prior to the crash. These details add complexity to the narrative surrounding the safety and maintenance of the transport used for the expedition.
The school's denial of past rental car usage relies solely on the statement made during the second press conference. No independent verification of the school's internal records regarding these past requests has been provided in the available information. This limitation underscores the reliance on the institution's own account at this stage of the proceedings.
The full extent of the investigation into the cause of the accident remains under way. While the school has sought to clarify specific logistical details, the inquiry into the circumstances leading to the collision on the Iwate Expressway continues. The focus remains on establishing the facts surrounding the event and the condition of the vehicle involved.
NHK News Japan reported the details of the school's second press conference, noting that the briefing was held to provide updates following the initial report of the accident. The coverage highlights the school's efforts to manage information flow while the official investigation proceeds.
