Truck crash kills six schoolchildren in Japan

Six children have been died after being hit by a truck while walking to school, Japanese police said today.

Police spokesman Harumi Murayama said the crash happened in Tochigi, north of Tokyo.

The children – five boys and a girl – were all aged between nine and 11.

Police said the truck crossed the centre line and slammed into the children before crashing into a house. Officers arrested the truck’s 26-year-old driver.

Mr Murayama said police are investigating the cause of the accident, but no alcohol was detected on the driver.

Fuji TV said the truck weighed around 12 tons.