Police Explain Chronology Of Deadly Accident In Balikpapan Which Killed Five People

Deadly Accident in Balikpapan/Photo: Antara

BALIKPAPAN - Five people died in a traffic accident on Jalan Soekarno-Hatta KM 0, the Rapak descent area or Kilo derivation in Balikpapan City, East Kalimantan. stopped when the red light flashed at the Rapak intersection, Friday, January 21 morning.

"In addition, there are four seriously injured victims and dozens of people with minor injuries," said East Kalimantan Regional Police Traffic Director (Dirlantas Polda Kaltim) Police Commissioner Sony Irawan at the scene. The dead and injured victims were taken to Kanujoso Hospital. Djatiwibowo and Faith Hospital.

Police Commissioner. Sony Irawan said that his party secured the tronton driver named Muhammad Ali (48), a resident of Jalan Tanjung Pura, Balikpapan Kota. Kombes Pol. Sony explained that the incident started when the red tronton driven by Ali departed from the trolley on Jalan Pulau Balang at KM 13 Soekarno-Hatta, Karang Joang, North Balikpapan at 05.00 WITA.

The 10-wheeled truck with a carrying capacity of 21 tons was loaded with a 20-foot container, filled with 20 tons of water-purifying lime. The destination location is in Kampung Baru, West Balikpapan.

Ali chose the Soekarno-Hatta Road route or what people call Kilo. Arriving at Kilo 0.5 in front of Rajawali Foto, before the long descent to the traffic light in front of the Rapak Roundabout, Ali shifted gears from 4 to 3 and reduced the speed of the vehicle.

Unfortunately, it was undeniable, right in front of the North Balikpapan Police Station, Ali's truck lost its brake function, aka the brake failed. Even though the speed of the truck was reduced because it was being held back by a low-speed engine, without brakes and on the downhill road, the speed of the truck was out of control.

Like a bowling ball hitting a row of pins at 06.00 WITA. The truck hit motorbikes, pickups, private cars, and public transportation which had stopped waiting for the green light to flash in front of the Rapak roundabout.

"As far as the tronton driver is concerned, it was the first time he hit a motorcyclist," said Kombes Pol. Sony.

The truck didn't stop there. Still going through the Rapak Intersection and the roundabout. Just actually stopped on the side street of Masjid Al Munawar.

Behind him scattered victims. Body strewn, cars wrecked, motorcycles crushed. The police noted that two private cars, one blue angkot and one red angkot, as well as two pickups, and 14 motorbikes were heavily damaged. The truck also rammed a traffic light pole until it collapsed, and leveled the guardrail along the descent.

"We continue to collect detailed information, and we will convey it immediately. Currently we are focusing on helping and evacuating victims and regulating traffic," said Kombes Pol. Sony.