The Evacuation of Brantas Railway Trucks and Locomotives Completed, Two Railway Lines Can Be Passed

The collision between the Brantas train and a truck in Semarang disrupted train travel. On Wednesday (19/7/2023) morning, the two railway lines around the accident site could be traversed at a limited speed.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI.

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

The evacuation process of the Brantas train locomotive is seen after it collided with a truck at the Madukoro Raya railway crossing in Semarang City, Central Java, on Tuesday (18/7/2023).

SEMARANG, KOMPAS - An accident between Brantas Train 112 and a truck at a level crossing on Madukoro Raya Road, West Semarang District, Semarang City, Central Java on Tuesday night (18/7/2023) disrupted train traffic. However, on Wednesday morning (19/7/2023), two railway tracks around the accident site were able to be passed with limited speed.

The Brantas train with 615 passengers on board departed from Pasar Senen Station in Jakarta and headed towards Blitar Station in East Java. However, at a level railway crossing on Madukoro Raya Street on Tuesday at around 19:32, the train collided with a stalled trailer truck.

The incident caused the truck body to cross the downstream and upstream railway tracks. As a result, at least ten train journeys were disrupted.

On Tuesday night, officials attempted to evacuate the truck part that was on the downstream track. Therefore, the downstream track can already be passed on Tuesday at 22:18. Trains that were trapped at stations before Jerakah Station and Semarang Poncol Station can also be run alternately through the downstream track with limited speed.

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

Residents observe the evacuation process of a truck that was hit by a train at the Madukoro Raya level crossing in Semarang City, Central Java, on Tuesday (18/7/2023).

On Wednesday early morning, the evacuation process of the truck and train locomotive bodies on the upstream track was completed. After the track was sterile, the upstream track could be passed at a limited speed starting from Wednesday at 04:28. For example, KA 130 Gumarang from Pasar Senen to Surabaya Pasarturi, can now pass through the upstream track at a speed of 5 kilometers per hour.

"Two train tracks in Semarang are now passable again. The downstream track can be passed at normal speed, while the upstream track can be passed at a limited speed of 10 km per hour," said Ixfan Hendri Wintoko, Public Relations Manager of Indonesian Railways Regional Operation 4 Semarang."

Also read: Train Crashes into a Truck in Semarang, One Passenger Injures

Although both tracks are now passable at a slow speed, train traffic congestion still occurs. Delayed trains include KA 78F Pandalungan for 124 minutes, KA 126 Harina for 155 minutes, KA 16 Argo Muria for 145 minutes, and KA 130 Gumarang for 147 minutes.

"PT KAI apologizes to all train customers for the delays that have occurred. Currently, we are making maximum efforts so that train travel returns to normal," said Ixfan."

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

A tow truck was deployed to pull the carcass of a truck that collided with a train at Madukoro Raya level crossing in Semarang, Central Java, on Tuesday (18/7/2023).

According to Ixfan, the total material losses from the accident have not been calculated yet. The accident caused damage to the bridge, rails, and locomotive of the train. In addition, the incident that also disrupted train travel was considered to have a negative impact on PT KAI's image in the eyes of customers.

"We call on road users to obey the rules when passing through the railway crossing. Please stop, at least when the siren has sounded. This is to avoid trucks hanging or getting stuck on the rails, as happened last night. Moreover, the road contour at the crossing is slightly elevated," he said.

Ixfan stated that the train's engineer and assistant engineer are in good physical condition. However, both experienced shock during the accident. On Wednesday afternoon, they will be questioned regarding the incident.

Prone

Senior Investigator of the National Transportation Safety Committee, Ahmad Wildan, said that lowbed or lowboy type trailer trucks such as those involved in the accident are prone to getting stuck when crossing level crossings. This is because the ground clearance or the distance between the lowest point of the vehicle and the road on the vehicle is very low, which is about 20 cm.

"When the tractor head (the head of the truck that pulls the trailer) goes through a level crossing that is slightly up, the fulcrum is slightly raised so that the rear axle loses traction. This will cause the trailer to get stuck. When the tractor head was able to go through the second rail (on a double track), the trailer got stuck on the first rail because it was too low," said Wildan.

Also read: Accident in Semarang, Nine Train Trips Disrupted

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

Officials from PT Kereta Api Indonesia checked one of the burned carriages shortly after a train collided with a truck at a level crossing in Madukoro Raya, Semarang City, Central Java on Tuesday (18/7/2023).

In addition, Wildan also suspects the influence of uneven roads in the accident. However, he mentioned that it is only a temporary analysis. As of now, Wildan also admitted that he has not received any instructions to investigate the accident.

Previously, the Chief of the Semarang City Police Resort, Senior Commissioner Irwan Anwar, stated that the accident occurred due to a stalled truck at the intersection. The driver and assistant of the truck had already disembarked and requested assistance from the gatekeeper, but the accident could not be avoided because the train was already too close.

Read also: Locomotive and Truck Evacuation Process at Madukoro Bridge

The train driver and assistant are in a physically healthy condition. However, both of them experienced shock when the accident occurred.

"The position was not intruding, but indeed it broke down. When the truck passed, the railway gate was not yet closed, then suddenly the truck broke down," said Irwan."

According to Irwan, there were no fatalities in the accident. However, one passenger was injured because he jumped from the carriage in a panic when the accident occurred. The passenger was immediately taken to the nearest hospital for treatment.