EXILE's MAKIDAI suffers serious injuries due to a traffic accident in Hokkaido

EXILE's MAKIDAI suffered serious injuries as a result of a traffic accident at Hokkaido on 24 December. The incident took place around 12.35am on the No.5 highway in Nanae-cho, Hokkaido where the wagon car which MAKIDAI and six others were travelling in collided with a truck. According to the police, the wagon car was driven by a driver hired by the local promoters and the passengers included MAKIDAI and members of the unit PKCZ. MAKIDAI suffered fractures to his ribs, pulmonary contusion and cerebral concussion while music producer VERBAL who is also a member of PKCZ had fractures in his ribs and pulmonary contusion and DJ DARUMA complained of pain in his neck. The 3 remaining staff members and the driver also suffered injuries during the accident.

According to the group's agency, the members were due to perform at the Sandaime J Soul Brothers concert taking place at Sapporo Dome on 24th and 25th December and were making their way to Sapporo on 23rd December. However, due to the snowy weather, they had to take the Shinkansen to Hakodate and travel by car for the rest of the journey. As a result of this accident, the Sapporo concerts will be cancelled after discussions between the Sandaime and PKCZ members and staff. An announcement was posted on the official website to apologise for the cancellation and there will be plans to hold another concert again on a later date. Details on the refund procedure will also be announced soon. The Sandaime members expressed their wishes for their fellow members to recover soon.

Sources: Nikkansports / Oricon