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)