RADAR TULUNGAGUNG – A fatal Sugeng Rahayu bus crash in Banyumas, Central Java, killed two people after the intercity bus allegedly veered off the road when the driver lost consciousness during an overnight trip from Surabaya to Bandung. Police said the crash also injured passengers after the bus slammed into a roadside coffee stall.
The accident occurred at the Wangon intersection in Banyumas, Central Java, involving a Sugeng Rahayu interprovincial bus carrying 26 passengers. Authorities suspect the driver became drowsy following a long-distance journey from Surabaya, East Java, to Bandung, West Java.
According to police, the bus had briefly stopped at the Wangon intersection to drop off passengers before disaster struck moments later. Witnesses and investigators said the vehicle continued for about 100 meters before suddenly swerving uncontrollably toward the right side of the road and crashing into a roadside kiosk.
Police Suspect Driver Fatigue Triggered Fatal Crash
Police officers at the scene said the driver reportedly lost consciousness while operating the vehicle, causing the bus to veer sharply before smashing into a coffee stall and eventually stopping near a residential building around 35 meters from the initial impact point.
The crash killed the bus driver instantly. The owner of the coffee stall, who was reportedly asleep inside the kiosk when the collision occurred, also died at the scene after the structure collapsed under the impact.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims, pending notification of family members. Emergency responders evacuated passengers and secured the crash site shortly after the incident.
Investigators believe fatigue played a major role in the accident, particularly because the bus had traveled overnight across provinces. Long-haul routes between Surabaya and Bandung often require drivers to spend many consecutive hours on the road, increasing the risk of exhaustion if rest periods are insufficient.
Bus Carrying 26 Passengers Had Stopped Before Losing Control
Police confirmed the Sugeng Rahayu bus was transporting 26 passengers at the time of the accident. Officers said the vehicle initially stopped normally at the Wangon intersection to allow passengers to disembark.
Moments later, however, the bus suddenly became unstable while moving away from the intersection. Investigators said there were no immediate indications of a collision with another vehicle before the bus struck the roadside stall.
A police representative explained the chronology of the incident during an on-site briefing.
“Upon arriving at the location, the driver suddenly lost consciousness, causing the bus to swerve to the right before crashing into a coffee stall and finally stopping near a residential building,” the officer said.
The crash once again raised concerns over road safety standards and driver fatigue management in Indonesia’s long-distance transportation sector. Traffic accidents involving exhausted drivers remain a recurring issue on intercity bus routes, especially during overnight travel schedules.
Data from previous transportation safety reports in Indonesia have repeatedly highlighted fatigue as one of the major contributors to highway accidents involving commercial buses and cargo vehicles.
Authorities Launch Investigation Into Sugeng Rahayu Bus Crash
Police have launched a formal investigation into the Banyumas bus crash, including technical inspections of the vehicle and further questioning of surviving passengers and transportation operators.
Officials are also expected to review the driver’s work schedule, rest periods, and operational procedures followed during the journey from Surabaya to Bandung.
The incident caused temporary traffic disruptions around the Wangon intersection as emergency crews cleared debris from the destroyed kiosk and damaged roadside area. Local residents gathered near the scene as authorities conducted evacuation and forensic procedures.
Transportation safety observers have urged bus operators to strengthen monitoring systems for driver fatigue and ensure compliance with mandatory rest regulations for long-distance trips.
The deadly crash has drawn public attention because it involved one of the well-known intercity bus operators serving routes across Java. Authorities continue to investigate whether negligence or operational violations contributed to the fatal accident.
Police said further updates would be announced after investigators complete the examination of evidence and witness testimonies related to the Sugeng Rahayu bus crash.