Key Facts
• July 8, 2025: Accident occurred near Okaya IC exit on Nagano Expressway.
• 10:53 AM: Ambulance dispatched after a car driven by a man in his 20s hit a guardrail.
• Miscommunication led the ambulance to pass the exit, assuming the accident was on the mainline.
• 11:09 AM: A second ambulance was dispatched from Hirooka Fire Station.
• 11:26 AM: Second ambulance arrived at the correct location, 22 minutes late.
• Injured man suffered minor bruises; no condition changes due to the delay.
• Cause: Vague instructions from the dispatch center and unclear display information.
• Similar incident in 2022: 28-minute delay due to address confusion between municipal and prefectural housing.
• Matsumoto Wide-Area Fire Department pledged to investigate and prevent recurrence.
Summary
A miscommunication by the Matsumoto Wide-Area Fire Department caused a 22-minute delay in ambulance arrival at an accident near the Okaya IC exit on July 8, 2025. The initial ambulance passed the exit due to unclear instructions, prompting a second dispatch. The injured man, who suffered minor bruises, experienced no condition changes due to the delay. The department attributed the issue to vague dispatch instructions and unclear display information. A similar incident occurred in 2022, leading to a 28-minute delay. The department has committed to investigating the causes and implementing measures to prevent future errors.
