Mother Returns to Accident Site with Children, 19 Years After Tragedy

In Fukuoka, a mother who tragically lost three children in a drunk driving incident in 2006 returned to the site of the accident. She was accompanied by her four children born after the devastating event. Their visit was to offer prayers on the 19th anniversary of the tragedy.

Kaori Ogami, now 48 years old, placed a sunflower at the Umi no Nakamichi Ohashi Bridge, the location of the accident. She prayed for her children who had passed away. This marked the first time her children born after the accident – Aiko, Mahiro, Hikari, and Hiroki – had visited the site.

The accident occurred on the night of August 25, 2006. The Ogami family's car was struck from behind by a vehicle driven by a city employee who was under the influence of alcohol. The impact caused the Ogami car to crash through the bridge railing and fall approximately 15 meters into the sea. Hiroaki, Tomoaki, and Saaya, the three children, lost their lives in the accident.

On Tuesday evening, Ogami and her surviving children placed a sunflower each near the bridge railing. They then sang a children's hymn that Hiroaki used to sing. Mahiro prayed, facing the sea, hoping that no one would ever suffer a similar tragedy. Aiko and the other children were visibly moved, their eyes filled with tears as they sat in prayer.