A 60-year-old Japanese man was thrown into the air in celebration at a farewell party for his retirement died after his colleagues failed to catch him and he landed on the floor.

Following his death, the man’s 59-year-old wife filed a police complaint against three colleagues who threw him up into the air, accusing them of gross negligence resulting in death.

“He worked until the retirement age. We had been looking forward to going to various places as a couple and were excited that we would be able to spend a relaxing time together,” she said. “No matter what I say he won’t come back, but I want to find out why this happened.”

During the event, the 60-year-old’s colleagues threw him into the air in celebration, but they failed to catch him, and he landed on the tatami floor. He suffered neck and backbone injuries, leaving him with a disability in which he lost the use of his limbs and suffered respiratory failure. He died in September 2008 from blood poisoning.

It was believed that more than three people threw the 60-year-old up into the air, but since the details on who was involved remained unclear, the complaint initially named three people whose involvement was confirmed.

Police have reportedly begun questioning colleagues who took part in throwing the 60-year-old into the air.

Commenting on the incident, a representative of the company’s headquarters said, “The accident was unfortunate, and we express our condolences over the fact that the man died. However, the farewell party was held voluntarily and as a company we have no particular comment.”

Source: Mainichi Japan

I wonder if it was the case whereby he was a heavy man, so when they threw him into the air and was coming down, people sudden decided it was too dangerous to catch him. LOL