PT KAI refuses blame for accident

PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: The state-owned railway company (PT KAI) must not be blamed in the deadly collision between a coal train and a Tasima Star 2000 intercity bus in Prabumulih, South Sumatra, on Sunday, an official said on Monday.

Basnawi, spokesman for Division III of the South Sumatra Railroad, said that based on the Article 16 of Law No. 13/1992 on the Indonesian Railroad Company, other vehicles have to give way to trains passing through crossings.

"We (PT KAI) must not be held responsible for the accident. But we will provide ex gratia payments for the victims' relatives."

The coal train hit the bus at a railroad crossing in Prabumulih.

Eight people, including the bus driver, were killed and 26 others injured in the collision.

Muara Enim Police chief Adj. Comr. Budi Sardjono said that the guard at the railway crossing failed to lower the crossing bar when the train was approaching.

Responding to this statement, Basnawi said on Tuesday that "Even if the crossing bar was not lowered by the guard, that does not mean that highway users can ignore the possibility of a train approaching. Moreover, there are traffic signs warning motorists of the railroad crossing at the scene of the fatal accident."

This was the second such accident in Muara Enim regency since April, when a similar incident killed one person. (33)