Truck Falls into Ravine at Puncak, Allegedly Due to Brake Failure, Cianjur Police Investigate Cause

JAKARTA - The Cianjur Police are investigating the exact cause of the single-vehicle accident involving a truck carrying packaged milk, license plate number B 9373, which plunged into a 20-meter-deep ravine on the Puncak-Cipanas Highway on Friday.

Iptu Ika Cakra, Head of the Cianjur Police Traffic Unit's Law Enforcement Unit, said there were no fatalities, but the truck driver, S (24), a resident of Tangerang, suffered serious injuries after being trapped under the crushed cabin.

"We are still investigating the cause of the accident. It is suspected to be due to brake failure or human error. The driver, who sustained serious injuries, is still receiving medical treatment at Cimacan Regional Hospital," he said in Cianjur on Friday, as reported by Antara.

He explained that the single-vehicle accident, which occurred on the Skull Road, began when the truck, traveling from Puncak towards Cianjur, entered a steep downhill road in the Ciloto-Puncak area. The truck lost control and plunged into the Cikundul River ravine.

Several eyewitnesses reported that the truck was traveling at high speed and out of control for several hundred meters before plunging into the ravine. The driver appeared to panic as he lost control of the truck.

"The truck stopped in a ravine, with the driver trapped under the crumpled body after hitting the cliff. The milk cartons were scattered at the bottom of the ravine. Officers, assisted by local residents, managed to rescue the driver," he said.

He noted that two accidents involving large vehicles occurred in Cianjur over the past two days. The previous collision was a truck-to-truck collision on the Cikalonglulon-Jonggol Road. There were no fatalities, but two drivers were injured.

To reduce the number of accidents on hazardous roads, he added warning signs that drivers, especially trucks and buses, must obey. He also urged drivers to regularly check their vehicles' condition, especially before entering steep downhill roads like the Puncak and Gekbrong routes.

"We also deployed personnel during the long holiday to several hazardous locations to remind drivers to be more alert and careful when traveling on hazardous roads in Cianjur's jurisdiction," he said.