Baturaja, KOTABARI.COM – A serious accident occurred at the railway crossing of Air Gading, West Baturaja District, OKU Regency, South Sumatra around 13:10 WIB. The incident involved a babaranjang type train and a Toyota Kijang Inova driven by a local resident named Budi.
According to eyewitness accounts, the accident occurred as the vehicle was trying to avoid a bumpy road surface. Panic ensued among the passengers when they heard shouts indicating the approach of a train. The car’s engine suddenly stalled about 50 meters from the railway tracks.
“I didn’t expect a train because the crossing gate was open,” said Budi, the driver of the Kijang Inova, who struggled to release his seatbelt during the incident.
Efforts to restart the car’s engine failed, with it only intermittently coming to life. Diah, a passenger in the rear of the vehicle, sustained a head injury and was promptly taken to Dr. Ibnu Sutowo Regional Hospital in Baturaja for medical treatment.
Authorities from the OKU Police immediately responded by conducting an on-site investigation. They also checked on the condition of the victims being treated at the hospital and inspected the Baturaja Railway Station to identify the type of babaranjang train involved in the accident.
As of now, there has been no official statement from the railway authorities regarding the incident. Further investigation is underway to determine all factors contributing to this unfortunate accident.