Shantika Bus Crashes on Semarang-Pemalang Toll Road, Two Killed
- VIVA.co.id/Arianti Widya
Pemalang – An accident happened on the Semarang-Pemalang toll road on Sunday. The New Shantika bus from Jepara to Jakarta rolled over and plunged into the toll road 10 meters deep.
Two people were killed and 21 other passengers, including the driver and his partner, were taken to a local hospital.
Heru Suhartanto, Head of Semarang Search and Rescue Office stated that two people died and 21 other passengers, including the driver and Co-driver were taken to local hospitals.
"Two passengers died, while 21 other passengers including the driver and co-driver survived, but suffered heavy and minor injuries," he said in a statement.
The accident occurred on toll road lane B towards Jakarta, precisely at KM 320+600.
It was suspected that the driver was sleepy so the bus left the lane and fell from a height of about 10 meters to the road in Ampelgading Village, Pemalang, Central Java.
"We have sent a SAR team to evacuate all 23 passengers. Some were killed, some were injured, and all the victims were taken to Comal Baru Hospital in Pemalang," Suhartanto explained.
He revealed that the team had experienced difficulties because the bus was upside down. The joint SAR team then made efforts and the bus could be returned to its original position using a crane.
The bus carcass has been evacuated by Pemalang-Batang Toll Road officers for examination by the police, "After that, all victims can be evacuated,"
He urged to the public to be careful and take a break if they feel tired and sleepy.