Three killed, 15 injured in train collision

Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Rangkasbitung

At least three people were killed and 15 others injured in a train collision in the village of Lebak, Cijero Lebak subdistrict, Banten, in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The fatalities and injured were taken to Adjidarmo General Hospital and the Mission health clinic in Rangkasbitung. Records at the hospital showed that the three fatalities were locomotive engineer Achmad bin Sunardi, 24, his assistant Sutisna, 40, and Samsul Bachri, a drink vendor. They are believed to have died instantly.

Five people receiving intensive care for serious injuries are Lilis, 30, her one-and-half-year-old daughter Rina, locomotive engineer Dody Sutarno, 46, his assistant Dedy Darmawan, 29, and Ade Hardianto, 25.

Suhud Efendi was rushed to the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in Jakarta for emergency treatment, while other patients were allowed to return home after being treated for minor injuries.

Until Thursday evening, state-owned railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) was still investigating the collision.

KAI spokesman Zaenal Abidin said that the accident occurred when a passenger train plying the Tanah Abang (Jakarta)- Rangkasbitung route collided head-on with a cargo train traveling from the opposite direction.

"The collision occurred around one kilometer away from the Rangkasbitung railway station at 2 a.m. and an investigation into the collision is still under way. It appears that there must have been something wrong with the passenger train's brakes because it should have made its last stop at the Rangkasbitung station," Zaenal said.

Asked to comment on the spate of train accidents over the last two months, Zaenal said: "We do not want the accidents to happen."

He added that KAI has not found any indications of possible foul play behind the accident.

Over the last two months there have been four train accidents, the worst being a head-on collision in Cirebon on Sept. 2 that killed 50 people.

Rangkasbitung Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Abdul Rohim said local police were working with KAI to uncover the cause of the collision.

"We are still collecting details and waiting on statements from the cargo train's crew, who are still undergoing intensive medical care," he said.