Vocalist Of Visual Kei Band Gakido, Killed In Car Crash.

The members of Gakido were involved in a car accident on the 12th. Unfortunately, Piyo passed away due to severe head injury during the accident. Yohya, Rito, Yuu and Shutaro are all doing fine. TOSSY and one of their staff members are currently hospitalized, but conscious.

Four of the members, Yohya, Rito, Yuu and Shutaro, have updated with the news.
So far I have translated Yohya, Rito and Shutaro’s entries about the accident. Yuu’s is also are posted on his blog. I will edit this post with the translation at a later time.

The following is a translation of Yohya’s blog:

First, I want to apologize to everyone for all of the worry that we have caused you.
We truly thank you for all of your concerned messages.

On the morning of the 12th, the members and staff of Gakido were travelling by car, and en route from Osaka to Nagoya we got into an accident.
The rear wheel on the left side of the car burst, we lost control of the steering, the car rolled, and there was a lot of serious damage.

Yohya and Yuu only received a slight blow.
We only have minor injuries.

The right side of Rito’s body was hit.
He had to have stiches in his head.

Shutaro took a blow to his whole body, and had to get three stitches to his side.

The four of us didn’t lose consciousness, were able to move, and are now together.

TOSSY and one of our fellow staff members suffered serious injuries and are currently hospitalized.
Both of them have regained consciousness.
There is no threat to their lives.

piyo was thrown from the vehicle and suffered a blow to the head, which unfortunately resulted in his instant death.
These are the current circumstances.

We’re sorry for the delay in giving you this information.

When we know more details about our schedule, and about the situation, we will update you via our official website.

Rito was driving the vehicle at the time, and this is what he has stated in his blog:

We are announcing to everyone, that while travelling yesterday for our tour, we were involved in a car accident on the Shinmeishin Expressway.

I’m sorry that it hasn’t been easy to get in touch with you.

At that time, I was driving the van, and the the left rear wheel bust, making it difficult to handle the vehicle, and the van rolled over, causing serious damage.

When the van rolled over, Shutaro and piyo were thrown from the vehicle. piyo hit his head, and took his last breath. It seems like he died instantly.

Fortunately, Yohya and Yuu only suffered minor injuries.

Shutaro took a blow to his whole body.
He had to get three stitches to his side, however, he can walk on his own.
He decided not to stay in the hospital.

Tossy suffered injuries to his entire body, and although he has serious wounds and needed stitches, his injuries are not life threatening.
The staff member that was also in the van with us suffered similar injuries, which were not life threatening.
Currently the two of them in the hospital, just to make sure that they are fine.

I suffered a blow to the right side of my body, my shoulder and my right side were hit, and I had to get stitches in my head. But, I can walk on my own, I’m conscious and thinking clearly.

In a few days, when we have all the details about the accident and about our activities from hereon in, we’ll update you via our official site.

Everyone, we are truly, truly sorry for making you worry.

To all of our friends and fans who have gotten in touch with us, and to all those connected to the band, we are truly grateful.

Shutaro’s blog read as follows:

I’m sorry for making you worry.

Things have finally settled down.

At that time, we were en route from Osaka to Nagoya,
and the left rear wheel of the car burst,
we couldn’t keep control of the van,
and we ended up rolling over.

When we turned, both piyo and myself were thrown out.

I was wearing a seatbelt, but I was still thrown out of the van.

I hit my head hard.
My neck, back, legs… everything was hit really hard.
My whole body.
I had to get three stitches to my side.

Yohya and Yuu suffered minor injuries.
Rito got stitches in his head, and took a beating to the right side of his body

Tossy got stitches in his head too. We’re not sure how much damage has been done, and even though it’s not life threatening, he does have serious injuries and is currently hospitalized.
The same goes for our staff member;
They got stitches, and suffered serious but not life threatening injuries, and are hospitalized.

piyo was thrown from the van,
he took a severe blow to his head,
and died instantly.

I’m sorry that it’s taken so long to contact you all.
When we have more details about our schedule, and news on our recovery, we will let you know via our official website.

I’m truly sorry for making you worry.

The following is a translation of the news found on Jiji.com:

7 Band Members Injured = “Gakido” gets into a barrel roll accident on the Shinmeishin Expressway

Around 9:20 on January 12th, a mini-van overturned on the Shiga Prefecture, Kouka City Shigarakichou Shinmeishin Expressway. According to the prefectural police the visual kei band “Gakido” was in the van, and 28 year old Yoshiaki Yamada, who was from Higashimukoujima Sumidaku, Tokyo, died from hitting his head in the accident.

There were a total of six men and women in their 20’s and 30’s, including both staff and members of the band, who suffered minor injuries, such as lower back pain.

They were on a two lane highway, with an unobstructed view.
There is currently an on-going investigation regarding the source of the accident.

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Credit: Shattered Tranquility