Four killed in Cimahi train crash

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)