Killing 7 People, Rosalia Indah Bus Accident Allegedly Triggered by Drowsy Driver

KOMPAS/KRISTI DWI UTAMI

A dozen victims of the Rosalia Indah bus traffic accident are receiving treatment at the RSI Muhammadiyah Kendal, Kendal District, Central Java, on Thursday (11/4/2024). The majority of the victims are pilgrims heading to several regions in East Java.

KENDAL, KOMPAS — Traffic accident at Kilometer 370 of the Batang Toll Road-Semarang, Batang Regency, Central Java, Thursday (11/4 /2024), causing seven people to die and 17 people to be injured. The single accident that happened to the Rosalia Indah bus, which was carrying dozens of travelers, is strongly suspected to have occurred because the bus driver was sleepy.

The deadly accident occurred on lane A or the Jakarta-Semarang route, on Thursday at around 06:35. When the accident happened, the majority of passengers were asleep.

"I woke up because there was a passenger shouting. The bus was already swerving at that point. Shortly after that, I felt my body hit something, and then I passed out," said Aditya (34), a passenger bound for Jombang, East Java, when met at Muhammadiyah Kendal Islamic Hospital (RSI) in Kendal Regency, Central Java, on Thursday.

KOMPAS/KRISTI DWI UTAMI

The press conference on the traffic accident at Semarang-Batang Toll Road Km 730 A was held at RSI Muhammadiyah Kendal, Kendal Regency, Central Java on Thursday (11/4/2024). In that incident, seven people died, four victims have been identified, and three others are still awaiting confirmation from their families.

As a result of the accident, Aditya suffered a torn wound on his head and neck. His chest was also scanned, but he has yet to receive the results.

Head of Public Relations Division of Central Java Regional Police, Commissioner Stefanus Satake Bayu Setianto, said that based on preliminary examination and data collection, the bus was smoothly driving from the west to the east in the left lane.

However, arriving at Km 370, the bus driver is suspected to have been drowsy. The bus then drove off the road and plunged into a 200-meter-long ditch.

Also read: Rosalia Indah Bus Falls into a Ditch on the Batang Toll Road, 7 Passengers Killed

Head of the National Police Traffic Corps Inspector General Aan Suhanan said that the bus was carrying 32 passengers who were homecoming travelers to East Java and its surrounding areas. The bus, which departed from Pondok Ungu Terminal in Bekasi, West Java, was operated by one driver and one conductor.

Out of the 34 people on the bus, seven died and 17 other passengers were injured. The injured victims are being treated at the Muhammadiyah Kendal Hospital. Meanwhile, the other 10 people are safe and have been taken to their respective destinations.

KOMPAS/KRISTI DWI UTAMI

Batang Police Chief AKBP Nur Cahyo Ari Prasetyo gave a press statement regarding the condition of the victim after the Rosalia Indah bus traffic accident at RSI Muhammadiyah Kendal, Kendal Regency, Central Java, Thursday (11/4/2024). The accident on the Semarang-Batang Km 370 A toll road is thought to have occurred because the driver was drowsy or microsleep.

Aan stated that four of the deceased victims have been identified because they were traveling with their families. As for the three victims who were traveling alone, their family members are still waiting for confirmation.

Also read: Recurring accidents due to sleepy drivers in West Java, the importance of rest time

According to Aan, his party has sent a traffic accident analysis team to investigate the crime scene and collect facts in the field. From the results of the temporary search, officers did not find any traces of braking around the accident location.

"From the statements of the driver and passengers, the driver was sleepy and tired. "There's a possibility of a microsleep," said Aan.

Regarding the incident, Aan urged drivers, especially those who are traveling for the Eid holiday, to be cautious and always ensure that their bodies are in good condition. Drivers are advised to rest at designated rest areas, at least every four hours.

DOKUMENTASI POLDA JATENG

The single accident of the Rosalia Indah bus on the Batang-Semarang toll road, Batang Regency, Central Java, Thursday (11/4/2024) morning, resulted in the deaths of seven passengers.

Change bus

Aan added that the bus involved in the accident was not the one originally used from Bekasi. Due to engine problems, the bus from Bekasi was replaced with another unit at the rest area of Km 227 on the Pejagan-Palimanan toll road. However, the driver was not replaced.

The bus driver was reported safe in the accident. The driver, who is a resident of Ponorogo, East Java, is currently undergoing treatment and recovery for trauma. In addition to the driver, passengers are also receiving trauma recovery services from officers of the Batang and Kendal Police Residences.

Regarding the condition and suitability of the replacement buses, Batang Police Chief Adjunct Commissioner Nur Cahyo Ari Prasetyo said that the police still need time to delve into the matter. Inspection and investigation of related parties, including bus companies, will also be carried out.

According to the driver and passengers, the driver was sleepy and tired. Possible microsleep

Deputy Director of Services at the Muhammadiyah Kendal Hospital, Alexander Bramukhaer, stated that the victims started arriving at the hospital on Thursday around 7:30 am. They came with various conditions, namely, deceased, severe injuries, moderate injuries, and minor injuries. The injured victims received intensive care until Thursday afternoon.

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

A queue of vehicles enters through the Kalikangkung Toll Gate, which is opened in one direction to avoid congestion of vehicles during the passage of travelers on the Batang-Semarang section in Semarang city, Central Java, on Saturday (6/4/2024).

"The injuries range from minor cuts, tears, broken bones, head injuries, to chest injuries. Those who have died, on average, suffered head injuries, chest trauma, and some also due to broken bones," said Alexander.

According to Alexander, the families of the four identified deceased victims have contacted the hospital. The four bodies are in the process of being handed over to the families for further transport and burial.

Also read: Driver Negligence, 13 Homecomers Died in West Java in the Last Four Days

Director of Utama Jasa Raharja, Rivan Achmad Purwantono, said that his party had contacted the families of the victims, both those who died and were injured. Assistance in the form of compensation money will be given to the victim's family or heirs.

"The compensation for deceased victims that we will provide is IDR 50 million. Meanwhile, injured victims will receive a maximum of IDR 20 million in medical assistance," he stated.