Pile-up on Batang-Semarang Toll Road kills one person
The Batang Police Resort in Central Java is still investigating the cause of a pile-up that resulted in one death and two serious injuries at KM 379+900 of the Batang-Semarang Toll Road on Wednesday.
Batang Police Chief Senior Commissioner Warsono said the accident involved four vehicles: a Suzuki APV ambulance, a Hino truck, a Toyota Innova and a Toyota Avanza.
“Yes, it is true that a pile-up occurred on the toll road at KM 379+900 in Gringsing District, resulting in one fatality and two injured victims. We are still investigating the exact circumstances of the accident,” he said.
According to preliminary police accounts, the accident began when the Suzuki APV ambulance with registration number D-1142-AFZ was travelling from the west, or Jakarta, towards the east, or Semarang.
Upon reaching the scene, the ambulance driver is suspected of losing concentration and struck the rear right side of the Hino truck with registration number BE-8501-PV.
As a result of the impact, the ambulance veered to the right and hit the left side of the Toyota Innova with registration number G-1480-BK, which was travelling in the same direction in the right lane.
“The ambulance driver is suspected of losing concentration, causing the vehicle to hit the truck in front, then swerve to the right and strike the Innova,” he said.
Warsono, accompanied by Batang Police Traffic Unit Head Adjunct Commissioner Eka Hendra Ardiansyah, said the impact also caused the Hino truck’s spare wheel to come loose and strike the front of the Toyota Avanza with registration number B-2058-UOR, which was travelling in the same direction behind the ambulance.
According to him, at the time of the accident the weather was clear, the road was straight with a concrete surface in good condition, and traffic flow was observed to be moderate.
He urged toll road users to always maintain concentration while driving and to rest if they feel sleepy or tired.
“We urge all road users to remain alert and ensure their vehicles are in prime condition before travelling, especially on toll roads, and to rest adequately if they begin to feel drowsy or fatigued,” he said.