77YO Woman Suffers Fatal Fall While Being Airlifted During Rescue Attempt In Japan

Typhoon Hagibis, the most powerful and devastating typhoon to strike Japan since 1958, has claimed over 40 lives and caused injury and heartache to many.

Unfortunately, it has claimed one more life, and in the most heartbreaking way.

77YO Woman Suffers Fatal Fall & Dies While Being Airlifted To Be Rescued In Japan

As the title says, a woman in her 70s fell 40 metres while being airlifted by a helicopter in Japan.

According to the Metro, the incident happened around 10am in Iwaki city, Fukushima, about 120 miles north east of Tokyo.

She was rushed to a hospital but later succumbed to her injuries.

Fire Department Apologized

The fire department later apologized for not ensuring the safety of the woman before carrying out the rescue attempt.

“We are deeply sorry for carrying out the wrong procedure” during the rescue operation, Hirofumi Shimizu, of the fire department, said.

What went wrong?

According to the fire department, two members of the rescue team were involved in the rescue effort, where they wrapped the woman in a carrier and attempted to lift her up to the helicopter with rope.

Unfortunately, the woman was not properly hooked up to the rope, and one of her rescuers ended up dropping her as a result.

The two were attempting the rescue in front of her house, which was flooded by about 50 centimeters of water, reported The Japan Times.

Significant damage

The typhoon has moved away from the island and weakened to an extratropical cyclone, but it has left behind significant damage.

It has claimed more than 40 lives and many others are either missing or injured.

In addition, more than 20 rivers in central and northeastern Japan had burst their banks, flooding more than 1,000 homes in cities, towns, and villages.