[UPDATED] LRT trains in accident, passengers in pain and shock

KUALA LUMPUR – Two LRT trains collided underground near the KLCC station this evening, triggering scenes of pain and shock among 213 passengers who were in the affected coaches.

The incident at 8.33pm resulted in 47 passengers being severely injured. The remaining 166 sustained light injuries.

Videos and photos taken by passengers that were shared on social media showed numerous passengers reeling in bewilderment and pain, with blood on the floor amid shattered debris.

There were also photographs of several casualties, with some passengers lying on the floor.

The crash happened when a train full of passengers was running on the same track as another that was empty and being taken for repairs, which was coming from the opposite direction.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong who arrived at the scene later said that one train was moving at 40kph and the other at 60kph when they collided head-on.

Asked whether the LRT’s operation will be suspended, Wee said he is awaiting a report from the Land Public Transport Agency director-general tomorrow morning before a decision can be made.

The train with passengers was travelling from the Gombak LRT station, while the empty one was from the Kg Baru station.

They crashed near the KLCC station, which lies between the two. Though the impact was not devastating, it created a massive jolt within the coaches, with floorboards and the glass in windows being bent and shattered.

Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department director Nordin Pauzi said that the first rescuers arrived at 8.45pm at the KLCC station.

However, evacuation took some time as the underground tunnel path to the site of the accident was about 100m away from the nearest open space.

Dang Wangi OCPD Mohamad Zainal Abdullah later told reporters at the KLCC station that the incident is being investigated under Section 201 of the Land Public Transport Act 2010 for wilful act or omission endangering passengers.

While the train without passengers was being operated manually by a staff on board, the one with passengers was riding automatically without anyone at the helm.

“Maybe there was miscommunication at the control centre. We will investigate,” Zainal said when questioned by reporters.

Earlier, RapidKL’s Twitter account @AskRapidKL had confirmed that the accident occurred along its Kelana Jaya line, specifically affecting trains number 40 and 81.

“Our team is mobilising help and rescue assistance right now. Please stay calm and follow instructions,” it said in the tweet.

In an official statement, LRT operator Prasarana Malaysia Bhd apologised for the anxiety and tension brought about by the accident.

“We are making immediate efforts to provide assistance and control the situation,” it said.

In an early tweet, Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa confirmed that there was a collision between train 40, which was filled with passengers, and train 81, which was empty.

He said the impact had caused passengers to be thrown from where they were, with many falling to the floor.

Annuar said that the accident must be investigated in detail for the cause, and be analysed on whether there was any carelessness, especially at the control centre.

Public safety should always be prioritised, he added. – The Vibes, May 24, 2021