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.
The following is a translation of Yohya’s blog:
To everyone who has been connected to Gakido,
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 bodyTossy 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.
Yuu’s blog entry about the accident:
I’m sorry for taking a while to update.
I’m sure that there are people who have already heard, but in the early morning on February 12th while en route from Osaka to Nagoya, Gakido got into a car accident.
The left rear wheel burst,
we couldn’t control the van, and ended up rolling,
which caused a lot of damage.I’ll write specifically
about the members’ safety.Yohya and Yuu suffered minor injuries
Shutaro took a blow to his whole body
Rito got hurt on his right side
TOSSY and one of our staff members are in the hospital with serious injuries,
but they are not life threatening.Last, however, is piyo.
Immediately following the accident he took a severe blow to his head,
and although it’s horrible,
he died instantly.I’m so sorry
That this announcement comes so late.As for future details,
we will update our official site in the upcoming days.We will also post information about our future schedule
on the official site.Please wait for us.
For anyone interested, 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.
Source: vkdb, Jiji.com, Member’s Blogs
I can’t believe Piyo is just gone like that…
He was really a cute guy and yah the pain is juz…too much
I juz hope the rest of the band can slowly pick themselves up again
rest in peace T____T
….:( r.i.p. Piyo…..
Terrible terrible news.. I’m not a huge fan, but this is so shocking. It’s so sad whenever I hear someone dying so young and so sudden even if I don’t know that person personally..
Rest in peace, Piyo. You may not be with Gakido physically but I hope they will still make music with you.
I’ve checked Piyo’s ameblo last night and was stunned to see that he just blogged about Ritocchi blasting off on their way, a couple of minutes before the accident (the news stated it happened 9:20 am, he blogged aroung 8:45 am).
Rest in peace Piyo. I don’t follow this band but seeing that he seems to be a happy person, my heart goes out to him, the band, their fans and their family. I hope they make Piyo their inspiration as they move on and create music in the future.
What the, OMFG…. this is so unbelievable…
How come, it’s like so sudden and fast.. PIYO!!!
He was a really cute guy… May he rest in peace.
This is so sad. Why does it seem like so many JRockers are prone to accidents?
I’ve never listened to this band before.
But when I read this, my heart broke for them.
Losing a life is always tragic, and I can’t imagine how devastating it must be for the other members of the band.
My sincere condolences for them.
I hope that the members of the band and the staff recovers quickly.
I hope that they will not blame themselves for the tragedy, and just remember the good times.
And I hope that they will smile again after the tears and heartbreak.
Rest in peace, piyo-san. Now you can make music forever…
he die like this!T-T
i wont him die
i just can beive he write his last post 15 min first to his death
and he was so young he must be 29 in march
i will pray for his soul even if he cant feel it
or read this all comment
R.I.P
That is… Thinking on this past year, it seems there have been quite a few car accidents and the like. Luckily, most have been fortunate, but this really is a reminder of how close they come. It’s so surreal that this can happen so suddenly and be so final.
I hope the band and staff are able to return quickly, however they decide is best for them, and I wish his family and friends the best.
Rest in peace.
further information:
http://rocketnews24.com/?p=24780
This actually doesn’t provide any new information….
All my love, my sympathy and my heart felt condolences to all the band, their families, friends and to fellow fans. My heart breaks for Piyo, but sings for the fact the rest of you survived to mourn and to celebrate his life. All of you, please, get well. Take your time and heal from wounds physical and spiritual. We will wait for you.
Life is so cruel.. You just never know.. I just listened to them briefly a couple of times but these kind of news always crushes me. You never know what will happen, it’s so unbelievable scary.. and devastating..
RIP Piyo
Rest in peace, Piyo.
r.i.p. and I’m too sad to add anything else..
I Have’nt listened to this band, not a single song… but hearing that one of the members passed away just made me so sad.. i don’t know why.. I mean, its not fun to loose someone in an accident, people dying is the worst thing ever… But i feel so empty.
[But the fun part is.. I have never heard of this band before...]
that’s really horrible to read.
i actually dont listen to this band but this kinda news is always bad .__.
i really cant say anything but wishing all of the members to get better
When I glanced at Shutaro-san’s blog I couldn’t believe what I read… It struck me so hard that I couldn’t even think straight, I couldn’t really breathe. piyo-san was such a sweet person and to be lost at such a young age is so hard to believe.
Shutaro-san blogged yesterday that he had smoked 2 cigarettes, one in honor of piyo since he loved it so much haha. He said that they were investigating the site of the crash and as if piyo was watching them the clouds cleared away, the sun shone and everything became clear….
It’s going to be a long road to recovery for them but I send out all my love and support to the band and staff during this painful time.
piyoさんご冥福をお祈り致します。
yura also posted an entry in his blog about piyo’s passing.
http://ameblo.jp/buzz-machine/entry-10457751528.html
not only Yura, Zero and Kisara from Hi:BRiD posted about it as well
Horrible news! Rest in Peace Piyo!
Oh my goodness…I cannot believe this just happened…Piyo was so *sigh*. I feel so bad for everyone in the band…oh Why?
oh man…..that’s horrible. I have never heard of them before but it’s still so heartbreaking. My heart goes out to his family, friends, fans and bandmates.
rest in peace, piyo
my heart goes out to the band, staff, their friends, fans and families.
that’s such a scary thing to happen and the fact that they lost a member is very heartbreaking.
rest in peace, piyo and everyone else please recover quickly.
rest in peace piyo-san…
we’ll pray for you and carry you on in our hearts
It’s a horrible story…
I hope everyone of them is ok now
and piyo rest in peace…
All my best wishes to Piyos family and to Gakido..
I hadn’t heard of this band, but I felt desperate sorrow at his death.
I am happy that it was quick, and he felt no pain.
I’m sure he will follow everyone in Gakido with his spirit to encourage happiness and love and sharing feelings with music. I looked for this band afterwards, and I realize that not only has the world lost a precious and happy life, but a rare talent as well. His voice was so unique and high-spirited.
*His love will follow everyone*
I’m so sad. I starter listening to Gakido in january, and they got better and better the more I was listening to them. And now, a couple of weeks later, I heard about this. I’m just so sad, Piyo had the most wonderful voice, and he was so happy and just…a amazing person.
I miss him very much. Rest in Peace, Piyo-san.