Train driver may have over-ridden safety measure

KUALA LUMPUR: The collision between a Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) Ekspres Rakyat train and an Electric Train Service (ETS) train near Batang Kali on Saturday may have occurred because one of the train drivers overrode the automatic safety protection system.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said today: "Only the train driver would have the authority to override the system, which was put in place as a safety measure against collisions."
The drivers of both trains have been suspended pending an investigation, he said.
Three passengers suffered minor injuries in the collision near Batang Kali commuter station on Saturday.
Liow said the automatic safety protection system would have caused the train to stop automatically if it had detected an obstacle in its course.
"We are investigating what happened to the train automatic safety protection system ... whether is was due to a system failure or the driver had overridden it," Liow, who is also MCA president, told a press conference after chairing the party's central committee meeting at Wisma MCA here.
He said strict action would be taken if it is proven that there was any non-compliance with the safety protocol.
"I view this train collision as a very serious violation of the safety protocol," he said.
He has directed KTMB to set up a special investigation team to look into the matter.
"The team has given me the preliminary report on the accident, but I want a thorough report so that action could be taken against those responsible," he said.
"If there is any negligence, immediate action would be taken," said Liow.
He assured that the probe would be conducted as quickly as possible as it concerns the safety of train passengers.
"I hope to get the final investigation report in a week's time," he added.
Meanwhile, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) services have returned to normal since 10pm on Saturday after the accident.
A KTMB spokesman said the KTM Komuter service for the Rawang-Tanjung Malim route and the ETS, which were disrupted following the incident, had resumed as usual.