Three Killed in Multi-Vehicle Crash on Batang Toll Road
Three people died in a multi-vehicle collision involving four vehicles on the Trans Java Toll Road at KM 379+900 on the Jakarta-Semarang route in Gringsing District, Batang Regency, Central Java, in the early hours of Wednesday (19/8).
The deceased were identified as Tekat Susanto, 46, a Tangerang resident who was an ambulance crew member; Giyati, 42, a resident of East Cengkareng; and Mulyana, 50, a Tangerang resident.
The four vehicles involved were a Suzuki APV ambulance with registration number D-1142-AFZ, a Hino truck with iron bed BE-8501-PV, a Toyota Innova G-1480-BK, and a Toyota Avanza B-2058-UOR.
Batang Police Traffic Unit Chief AKP Eka Hendra Ardiansyah said the accident began when the ambulance was travelling from west to east. Upon arriving at the scene, the ambulance driver allegedly lost concentration and struck the rear right side of the Hino truck travelling in the same direction.
“After hitting the truck, the ambulance veered to the right and struck the Toyota Innova travelling in the right lane,” Eka told journalists on Wednesday (19/8).
Eka said the impact caused the Hino truck’s spare wheel to detach. The spare wheel then struck the front of the Toyota Avanza behind the ambulance.
“The ambulance was carrying the body of Tyo Prasetyo, a resident of East Cengkareng, from Jakarta to Jepara. The three victims who died consisted of the ambulance assistant seated to the left of the driver and two people who were the father and mother of the deceased being transported,” Eka said.
The three victims were taken to the mortuary of Kendal Islamic Hospital (RSI).
RSI Kendal doctor Nauval Helmi said the three victims arrived at the Emergency Department already deceased. The victims suffered injuries to their hands and faces due to the severe impact.
“The victims arrived at RSI at 3:30 a.m. and were already dead upon arrival at the emergency room. On average, the victims suffered facial and hand injuries from the hard impact,” doctor Nauval explained.
Jasa Raharja officer for the Kendal area, Ajeng Sari Nastiti, said each deceased victim would receive compensation in accordance with regulations, with a maximum value of Rp20 million.
“The three victims will receive compensation from Jasa Raharja of up to Rp20 million per person,” Ajeng said.
At around 11:00 a.m. local time, the bodies were dispatched using RSI Kendal ambulances to several locations, namely Jepara, Cengkareng, and Tangerang, Banten, for burial by their families.
Police are still investigating to determine the cause and complete chronology of the accident. Initial suspicion is that the accident was triggered by the ambulance driver’s lack of concentration.
Toll road users are urged to always concentrate while driving, maintain speed, and ensure their physical condition remains fit, especially when driving at night until the early hours of the morning.
The accident case is currently under handling and investigation by the Batang Police Traffic Unit.