Man Arrested for Attempted Murder After Tripping Cyclist with Rope in Osaka

In Habikino, Osaka Prefecture, police have apprehended a 23-year-old individual, Yuki Matsumi, on charges of attempted murder and hindering traffic after he purportedly set up a rope across a roadway, leading to a cyclist's fall. The incident occurred on May 31 around 9:21 p.m., when a cyclist in his twenties collided with the rope, sustaining injuries like head bruises that were expected to take about ten days for recovery.

Reports indicate that Matsumi tied a rope at approximately 70 centimeters high across a city road that is about 4.6 meters wide. Although he has denied any malicious intent, stating, "I didn't intend to kill anyone," video evidence has raised significant concerns about his actions. Surveillance cameras captured Matsumi as he detached the rope from a parking lot entrance, subsequently securing it to a wire-mesh fence across the street.

The footage reveals that shortly before the cyclist's accident, Matsumi approached the area, briefly dropped the rope, and then secured it to the fence before retreating out of sight. Moments later, a cyclist rode into the rope, leading to a violent crash on the pavement, which left the rider looking disoriented and in pain. It is believed that Matsumi observed the cyclist's fall from a nearby location.

After the incident, a driver from a passing vehicle noticed the obstructing rope and stopped to remove it. Residents have expressed concern, with one local remarking that the area is frequently used as a shortcut and highlighting that such behavior is not merely a prank but a serious offense that endangers public safety.