Tourism Bus Accident Allegedly Brake Blong, Police: We're Still Looking For The Driver

CIAMIS - From the results of the investigation of the crime scene, the Police concluded that a temporary suspicion of a tourism bus accident that caused fatalities in Panumbangan, Ciamis Regency, West Java, was due to a failed brake.

According to Ciamis Police Chief AKBP Tony Prasetyo Yudhangkoro, this condition caused the bus to run out of control.

"For the time being, the initial suspicion is that the brakes failed, but later we will provide other witnesses and evidence at the TKP," said Tony at the location of the Payungsari Highway bus accident, Pari Hamlet, Payungsari Village, Panumbangan District, Ciamis, Sunday, May 22.

He said his staff had been investigating the crime scene since Sunday morning as well as evacuating and confiscating the carcass of a tourism bus to the Ciamis Police Station.

Ciamis Police, he said, are currently collecting witness statements to find out more clearly the cause of the accident, including whether or not there was an element of negligence. "Regarding negligence, we will go through the investigation process later, we ask for time," Tony said to Antara.

In addition, he also conveyed that currently the Ciamis Police are still looking for the whereabouts of the bus driver who reportedly fled after the accident.

Ciamis Police have asked the bus company regarding the whereabouts of the driver. The company has already stated the reason for running away for fear of being attacked by the masses.

"We haven't been able to conclude that he fled or is afraid of being attacked by the masses, but there is a guarantee that the company will bring in a driver," he said.

The police chief said that the tourism bus accident caused 24 people to be evacuated to local health care facilities, eight people have been allowed to go home, and the rest are undergoing medical treatment.

"There are four people who died, one person referred died," said Tony.

Previously, the tourism bus carrying a group from Tangerang, Banten, was returning from a pilgrimage tour in Panjalu, Ciamis, then an accident occurred while at the derivative location.

The bus drove out of control then hit a number of vehicles and finally stopped after crashing into a house on Jalan Raya Payungsari, Pari Hamlet, Payungsari Village, Panummbangan District, Ciamis, Saturday, May 21 at around 17.30 WIB.