Cars damaged in collision

Cars damaged in collision

JAKARTA (JP): Thick smoke from burning grass is believed to
have caused yesterday's four-car pileup on Cikampek toll road,
West Java. No fatalities were reported in the accident on
kilometer 51 of the toll road.

Supangat of PT Jasa Marga, the state company which operates
the toll road, said two Kijang vans, a sedan and a truck had run
into the back of each other at 2:20 p.m.

"The drivers probably couldn't see in front of them because of
the smoke," Supangat said.

He said a resident near the toll road had probably been
burning trash and the fire had spread to grass near the toll
road.

A strong wind had to have spread the fire, he said.

His company had deployed two trucks with water tanks, which
extinguished the fire in two hours, he said.

He said he had warned motorists to take the East Karawang toll
gate to avoid the smoke but some motorists had not heeded the
warning.

It was the first accident on the toll road caused by thick
smoke.

On April 10, nine people were killed in a toll road accident
when a speeding 12-seat minivan crashed and burst into flames.
(jun)