Police Name Argo Bromo Driver as Suspect Due to Delayed Emergency Braking
The Metro Jaya Regional Police have revealed the reasons why the driver of the Argo Bromo Anggrek train, identified by the initials AN, has been named a suspect in the accident involving a Commuter Line train (KRL) at Bekasi Timur Station.
The Deputy Director of General Criminal Investigation at Metro Jaya Regional Police, AKBP I Dewa PG Anom Danujaya, stated that the investigation team has analysed the data logger. The data logger is an electronic device that functions as a ‘black box’ to record various important operational parameters during a train’s journey.
Based on the data logger, Anom noted that the driver only initiated emergency braking when the train was 263 metres away from the point of impact with KRL 5568. “It was found that the emergency brake action by the Argo Bromo Anggrek driver was performed at 21:51:54, when the train’s position was 263 metres from the collision point with KRL 5568,” Anom said during a press conference on Tuesday (29/9).
“Investigators have concluded that the emergency brake action should have been performed at a greater distance than what was executed during the first braking attempt when the accident occurred,” he added.
According to expert testimony, Anom stated that the driver could have braked from a further distance to avoid the collision. “Based on the analysis and examination process we conducted, including with experts, the action should have been taken from a further distance from that location, so that the collision point could have been avoided. The driver did perform the action, but the distance at which it was performed should have been much further than 260 metres,” he explained.
Meanwhile, AKP Muhammad Rizka, Head of Unit 1 Sub-unit 1 of the Criminal Investigation Directorate, noted that there are established Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for train drivers regarding emergency braking. “It is stipulated in Railway Service Regulation 19, Article 50. If there is any doubt, for example, ‘I am unsure if the signal is red or not’, Article 50 states that if one is in doubt, the most decisive action should be taken: stop the train first, then confirm,” he said.
He added that the SOP is clearly documented in Service Regulation Number 19, addressing the lack of training claims. “It is already in the SOP; it is in Article 50 of Service Regulation number 19,” he added.
In this case, the suspect faces charges under Articles 323, 324, and 474 of the Criminal Code (KUHP), as well as Articles 198 and 206 of Law Number 23 of 2007 concerning Railways, with a potential prison sentence of 5 to 12 years.
The accident involving the Argo Bromo Anggrek and the KRL Commuter Line at Bekasi Timur Station occurred on Monday (27/4) night. The incident was triggered by a Green SM taxi stalling at a level crossing due to an electrical system failure. The car was subsequently struck by a passing KRL train.
As a result of the first accident, a KRL train bound for Cikarang came to an emergency stop at Bekasi Timur Station. While stationary, the KRL train was struck from behind by the Argo Bromo Anggrek, causing the rear women-only carriage to be crushed and resulting in the loss of dozens of lives.