Green SM Driver's Admission: Engine Died at Crossing, Doors Locked
Police have disclosed the latest facts regarding the incident involving the Green SM electric taxi stalling in front of a KRL train on the Cikarang-Jakarta route in East Bekasi.
The Head of Public Relations for Polda Metro Jaya, Kombes Budi Hermanto, stated that before the incident, the vehicle driven by RPP suddenly died at a level crossing. The driver then attempted to exit the vehicle.
“While being driven, the vehicle died at the railway level crossing. When the driver wanted to open the door to get out, he couldn’t,” Budi said at Polda Metro Jaya on Friday (8/5).
At that time, Budi explained, the vehicle’s transmission also shifted to the ‘parking’ position. The driver then turned off the vehicle and was finally able to open the window.
“When the individual tried to turn off the vehicle and open it, he could then lower the car window from the online taxi. Thus, the driver could exit [through the window] and was saved from the vehicle with help from nearby residents via the driver’s side window,” Budi recounted.
Budi mentioned that the cause of the electric taxi suddenly dying is still being investigated by detectives, involving Puslabfor and KNKT.
“This is still being delved into, whether it was the impact of magnetic fields or electric fields on the online taxi vehicle. This is still being examined by Puslabfor, and similarly being examined in parallel by KNKT. The team is still working to investigate,” he said.
The accident involving the KA Argo Bromo Anggrek train and the KRL Commuter Line at Bekasi Timur Station occurred on Monday night (27/4). The incident resulted in 16 people dead and 90 others injured.
The incident began with the Green SM taxi breaking down in the middle of the level crossing due to an electrical system disruption. The vehicle was then struck by the passing KRL. As a result of the first accident, one KRL set bound for Cikarang made an emergency stop at Bekasi Timur Station.
In that stopped position, the KRL set was hit from behind by the KA Argo Bromo Anggrek, causing the women’s carriage at the rear to crumple and claiming the lives of more than a dozen people.
Green SM Response
Green SM itself claims it will continue to coordinate with relevant parties during the investigation into the accident at Bekasi Barat Station.
“We extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to the families and loved ones of the victims. We are deeply concerned about this incident and hope that all involved parties recover quickly and remain safe.”
“Currently, the incident is still under investigation and there is no official conclusion from the authorities. Green SM continues to coordinate with relevant authorities by providing relevant information and supporting the investigation process,” Green SM stated.