16-8-2023 (JAKARTA) A devastating collision between a passenger train and a car has left two people dead and two others critically injured in Tebing Tinggi, a city located in North Sumatra province, Indonesia. The tragic incident unfolded on Wednesday, sending shockwaves through the local community and drawing attention to ongoing road safety concerns.
According to the city police, the accident occurred at a railroad crossing in the Rambutan subdistrict. Initial reports indicate that the car, which carried four passengers, allegedly trespassed the crossing without the presence of a bar gate and signal. The speeding passenger train, en route from Tebing Tinggi to the provincial capital Medan, collided with the car.
Dhoria Simanjuntak, the city’s traffic police chief, revealed that the impact of the collision propelled the car approximately 10 meters from the point of impact. Tragically, two of the car’s passengers lost their lives in the crash, and two others suffered critical injuries. The injured individuals were rushed to local medical facilities for immediate treatment.
Local authorities have launched a thorough investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the accident. The preliminary findings highlight the absence of proper safety mechanisms at the railroad crossing, which could have contributed to the tragedy. The absence of a bar gate and signal raises questions about the overall infrastructure and safety measures in place at such crossings.
This heart-wrenching incident underscores the ongoing road safety challenges that Indonesia faces. Deadly road accidents are an unfortunate reality in the country, often arising from a combination of factors such as overloading, poor road conditions, and reckless driving. The collision in Tebing Tinggi serves as a stark reminder of the need for comprehensive road safety reforms to prevent future tragedies.
