KUALA LUMPUR – Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong said a special task force will be set up to investigate the accident involving two Kelana Jaya line LRT trains, which led to scores of injuries this evening.
After visiting the site of the train crash near shopping arcade Avenue K in Ampang, Wee said the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) will be providing a preliminary report to him tomorrow, and that the task force will present the results of the probe.
“In the span of two weeks, we will be able to determine whether there was a mistake in the system signalling or technical communications. We will also ensure we investigate the causes of the incident.
“We are also asking the journalists to be patient because we will investigate the matter in two weeks and our specialists, whether from Prasarana or APAD, will manage this as a technical team. We are asking to be given space to identify the cause of the incident that happened today.”
Wee said the incident occurred at approximately 8.30pm this evening, where train number 40, which was carrying 213 passengers, collided head on with train number 81, which was empty.
In the collision, he said, 47 people had sustained injuries that were “not light”, while 166 escaped with minor injuries.
Wee said the 47 wounded were extracted from the accident site by rescuers and authorities and brought to nearby hospitals in ambulances by paramedics.
Wee said he is saddened by the incident as it is the first major catastrophe to have struck the rail system since it began operating 23 years ago.
He added that he views the accident as a serious matter, and that the wounded will receive the best treatment possible. – The Vibes, May 24, 2021
