Four killed in Cimahi train crash

BANDUNG (JP): Four people were killed when an Argogede train, serving the Jakarta-Bandung route, rammed into a minivan and pedicab at a railway crossing on Sunday evening.

The signal man had apparently raised the level crossing gates too soon, not realizing that the train, which was running at full steam, was about to pass.

The accident occurred at about 8:53 p.m., at the railway crossing in Cimahi.

Spokesperson of state railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia (PT KAI) Akhmad Sujadi, told reporters in Bandung that the crash occurred about a minute after a diesel-powered train (KRD) passed the crossing.

"After the KRD, plying the Cicalengka-Padalarang route, passed, the signal man was too quick raising the gate. The Argogede was following the KRD on another line," he said on Monday.

According to Akhmad, the 23-year-old signal man, identified by his initials DD, had been informed by traffic control at Padalarang and Cimahi stations that two trains were about to pass.

Eyewitnesses said the white Suzuki minivan was dragged several meters.

The fatalities were minivan passengers Uyun Kurni, 52, his wife Elsye, 47, and their children Grace, 15, and Jepry, 12. They were residents of Jl. Caringin, Bandung.

Pedicab driver Hidayat, 40, passenger Chepy, 30, and Chepy's 18-month-old baby Selya were slightly injured.

DD is now being questioned by Bandung Police detectives.

Akhmad said that PT KAI would take full responsibility for the accident, and would provide compensation for the victims.(25/09)