Prasarana To Give RM1,000 Assistance To All 213 LRT Accident Victims
The chairman added that six passengers are in critical condition, with three requiring ventilators.
By May Vin Ang — 25 May 2021, 12:43 PM
Prasarana Malaysia Berhad will give RM1,000 in compensation to all 213 victims of the Kelana Jaya Light Rail Transit (LRT) accident last night, 24 May
According to The Star, Prasarana chairman Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman told a press conference today, 25 May, that Prasarana will also cover the medical costs of every victim until they are discharged.
He said 64 passengers are still being hospitalised, with six in critical condition and three requiring ventilators.
The 8.45pm collision of two LRT trains is suspected to be caused by a communication error from the control centre
Bernama reported that both trains were travelling at 40km per hour and collided head-on in the tunnel between the Kampung Baru and KLCC stations.
Dang Wangi district police chief ACP Mohamad Zainal Abdullah said one train, carrying all 213 passengers, was being driven automatically, while the other train coming from the other direction was reportedly being test-driven manually by a single driver.
The police chief said all the passengers were pulled out of the train at 9.50pm and were sent to Kuala Lumpur Hospital and several other nearby hospitals for treatment.
The incident is being investigated under Section 201 of the Land Transport Act 2010 for endangering public safety.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport (MOT) said it will also set up a special task force to investigate the cause of the accident
Its minister, Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, said he expects the results of the investigation to be presented to the ministry in two weeks' time.
Wee described the collision as serious and said this was the first such incident involving LRT trains in Malaysia since they began operation in 1998.
"In two weeks' time, we will identify whether it was due to error in the signalling system or miscommunication or human error," he told a press conference today, 25 May, as quoted by Bernama.
"This incident is a lesson for everyone and we must ensure that the safety factor of public transport services is emphasised."
Meanwhile, he assured that assistance will be provided to all the affected passengers and their families.
