SMPN 2 Brangsong Bus Crashes on Cipali Toll, Outing Class Still Goes Ahead

One of five buses in a school trip from SMPN 2 Brangsong, Kendal Regency, was involved in a crash on the Cipali Toll Road at KM 88 in Kalijati, Subang, West Java, in the early hours of Tuesday 19 May. Although the incident claimed the life of a bus attendant, the outing to Bandung was reported to continue. According to Media Indonesia on Wednesday 20 May, the scene at SMPN 2 Brangsong was quiet, with only a small number of teachers and parents arriving to check on their children. Guardians were anxious, though most students were confirmed safe. Ferinando Rad Bonay, head of the Kendal Regency Education and Culture Office (Disdikbud), confirmed that the crash involved a tourist bus operated by PO EJ 78 Trans, registration K 7862 OF. The bus was carrying a group of ninth-grade students. As a result, ten people were taken to the Emergency Department of Abdul Radjak Hospital in Purwakarta. The injured were treated, though the report did not immediately disclose full details of their injuries. Meanwhile, the bus attendant died in the incident. Ferinando explained that although one bus carrying SMPN 2 Brangsong students was involved in the crash, the other four buses continued their journey to Bandung. The students on the unfortunate bus, both those who survived and those who had completed medical treatment, later joined the rest of the group by minibus. “The bus contained 35 students and 2 accompanying teachers. After treatment, they joined the others by minibus,” Ferinando noted. In response to questions about a ban on off-campus activities, Ferinando stressed that this SMPN 2 Brangsong outing was not a study tour, but an outing class. He emphasised the difference in meaning and purpose between the two terms and said the Education Department had granted permission for the activity.