A 59-year-old Australian tourist received emergency hospital care after the brakes failed on her rental motorcycle in Nusa Lembongan.
The woman was driving over the famous Yellow Bridge, which connects Nusa Lembongan with Nusa Ceningan when her brakes failed, and she careered off the end of the bridge.
Speaking to reporters, the Head of Public Relations of Klungkung Police, Iptu Agus Widiono, confirmed that the incident took place at around 11.30 am on Sunday, 13th October. The woman, known by her initials SM, was taken to hospital with significant injuries but is expected to make a full recovery.
Widiono told reporters, “SM and her motorcycle jumped from the bridge that crossed the sea. Falling from a height of about 10 meters, causing [her] to suffer an injury to her thigh…the brakes are not working, which caused the fall”.
SM was taken to the East Medical Clinic and then referred to a hospital in Nusa Dua on the main island of Bali.
Widiono did not reveal any further details about the incident or whether the moped rental provider would be investigated on the grounds of negligence over the condition of the vehicle.
Given the extent of her injuries, SM’s transfer from the Nusa Islands to the main island of Bali would have been incredibly uncomfortable.
Situations like these are part of the reason why leaders in the Nusa Islands are calling for more government support to level up medical infrastructure in the area.
In a recent media interview, House of Representative Member for Bali Nyoman Suwirta explained how he wants to see maritime and medical infrastructure improved across Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan for the benefit of both local residents and tourists.
He is proposing creating a floating ambulance service to mitigate some of the many emergency cases in the area and improve safety standards across the region’s most popular attractions.
Suwirta explained, “I dare to say that there must be a service at sea, whether it is a kind of big sea ambulance or a big boat passing by at sea, so there is a service we can provide.”
He was clear that tourism development must also include corresponding improvements to infrastructure so that the islands can become world class destination. He noted, however, that these urgent infrastructural improvements cannot be funded by tourism taxes alone.
Suwirta added, “We are not only pursuing income, but the impact of that income, especially retribution, there must be a service so that sea ambulances are not only in Nusa Penida… There must be some kind of floating hospital so that diving and snorkeling is [safe and] comfortable.”
SM’s accident is a stark call to action for leaders in the Nusa Islands to improve medical services in the area, as well as for road users, traffic officers, vehicle rental providers, and mechanics.
This is not the only case of a traffic collision caused by failing brakes in Bali this week.
On the main island of Bali on Saturday 12th, October, a 56-year-old Swiss tourist was killed by an oncoming truck that was experiencing brake failure.
The incident took place on the Kintamani – Singaraja Highway in Bantang Village close to Kintamani, and tragic events were confirmed to reporters by the Head of the Traffic Accident Unit of Bangli Police, Ipda Ketut Karya.
Karya explained, “A foreigner who had just been picked up from the airport was going to Bondalem in the middle of the trip and asked to stop and get out of the vehicle to capture the view by taking photos of the scenery.”
As the pair were taking photos at the viewpoint at the side of the road, the vehicle carrying construction materials, driven by a 35-year-old man from East Kalimantan Province, lost control and veered off the road. The vehicle hit the tourist and landed 5m into a ravine.
The tourist is reported to have died on the way to the hospital, and the driver and two other passengers received hospital treatment for their injuries.
Bali’s roads are amongst the most dangerous in Indonesia, ranked second, with East Kalimantan seeing the highest number of collisions, fatalities, and injuries annually.
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Josh
Sunday 20th of October 2024
Nothing will actually get done about it though - as always
Jordan
Saturday 19th of October 2024
Or you know just shut off the accelerator
Steve b
Friday 18th of October 2024
Bla bla bla
Exp
Thursday 17th of October 2024
"[Accidents] like these are part of the reason why leaders in the Nusa Islands are calling for more government support to level up medical infrastructure in the area."
Start with servicing the motorbikes. But that is a bit difficult as the benkels (motorbike roadside service) in my area (at least) spend all their effort in making the motorbikes as noisy as possible. Working lights and brakes is of little interest.
Shorty
Sunday 20th of October 2024
@Exp, Do the checks and have a test ride before you rent.