As of 2024, the crash remains the third-deadliest in Japanese history, surpassed only by the Tsurumi rail accident and the Hachikō Line derailment.

287) was approaching to join the main Jōban Line at Mikawashima Station and missed the red signal.

A fail-safe mechanism diverted the freight train onto a safety siding, preventing a devastating head-on collision, however the freight train was travelling too fast and derailed in the siding, leaving the JNR Class D51 locomotive, and leading tanker-wagon obstructing the main line.

The passengers used the emergency escape handles and started walking back to the station.

The operators in the nearby signal box were too busy dealing with the aftermath of the first collision and failed to notify other traffic on the line.