Police Investigate Unclosed Level Crossing Barrier in Blambangan Express Train Crash

Police are investigating suspected operational negligence in the crash between the Blambangan Express train and a truck at the Jorongan level crossing in Probolinggo, on Friday early hours (6/3). It is alleged that the level crossing barrier was not closed at the time the train passed. The incident occurred at the JPL 13 crossing around 12:40 a.m. A truck with plate P 8793 UG, travelling from east to west, was struck in the rear by the train and overturned. Safiq Jundhira Zulkarnaen, head of the Probolinggo Police’s Traffic Unit, said investigators are looking into whether the barrier failed to operate. “It is suspected the barrier was not closed, so a truck travelling from the east to the west did not see the oncoming train and was struck in the rear,” Safiq said. Police have collected statements from witnesses, including the truck driver Ali Rudi Amir and the crossing gate attendant, who will be questioned. As a result of the crash, both the train and the truck were damaged; the train’s driver and assistant driver sustained serious injuries and were treated at RSUD dr Mochammad Saleh. Cahyo Widiantoro, KAI Daop 9 Jember Legal and Public Relations Manager, said the company and police are still examining the matter and that the cause remains under investigation. Earlier, Blambangan Express train no. 147 on the Surabaya Pasar Turi – Ketapang route was reported to have been struck by a truck at a level crossing in Probolinggo Regency, East Java, around 12:49 a.m. The incident occurred at Km 109+860, at JPL 13, an officially guarded crossing. The locomotive CC 201 83 53 pulling the Blambangan Express was damaged and the service could not continue immediately. After the incident, the operations team pulled the train set back to Probolinggo Station using a helper locomotive. No fatalities were reported.