11 killed in West Java bus accident<\/p>\n
Nana Rukmana and Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Subang\/Bandung<\/p>\n
Eleven people were killed and at least 20 others were seriously
\ninjured after a speeding intercity bus, traveling from Jakarta to
\nSemarang and full of holiday travelers, hit a truck in the
\ndistrict of Ciasem, Subang regency at about 6 p.m. on Monday.<\/p>\n
Eyewitnesses said that the impact of the collision threw the
\nbus into a nearby farm area.<\/p>\n
A local policeman, Chief Pvt. Asep, who witnessed the accident
\nsaid that the bus also hit an electricity pole and a motorcycle.
\n\"The rider died instantly and the motorcycle was completely
\ndestroyed,\" Asep added.<\/p>\n
Subang Police chief Adj. Sr. Com. Bambang Sugeng said that 24
\nother passengers were slightly injured.<\/p>\n
Seven of the 11 victims, including the motorcyclist, died
\ninstantly at the accident site, while the others died on the way
\nto Sang Hyang Sri Hospital. Those sustaining injuries were being
\ntreated at Mandalangi clinic in Pamanukan, a nearby town.<\/p>\n
The bus driver, Tulus Prasetyo, who turned himself in to
\nSubang Police shortly after the incident, said that he had failed
\nto control his bus.<\/p>\n
\"I tried to overtake a car coming from the same direction when
\na truck loaded with electricity equipment suddenly appeared from
\nthe opposite direction. I tried to avoid it but it was too late.
\nThe brakes didn't work properly,\" said Tulus.<\/p>\n
Tulus said he had to escape the crowd and the police at the
\naccident site for fear of being mobbed. \"I hid before reporting
\nto the police office.\"<\/p>\n
Ciasem Police chief First Insp. Ma'soem Ramli confirmed Tulus'
\nstatements, saying that the brakes had failed. \"But the driver is
\nto be charged with ignorance by driving a public bus at such high
\nspeeds. He has, therefore, been detained and named a suspect.\"<\/p>\n
\"As a driver, he must be responsible for the safety of his
\npassengers. He violated Article 359 of the Criminal Code and if
\nfound guilty he could be jailed for at least seven years for his
\nnegligence,\" said Ma'soem.<\/p>\n
According to Ma'soem, most of the bus passengers were
\nhousemaids in Jakarta, who were on their way to their hometowns
\nin the town of Wonogiri, Central Java, to spend Idul Fitri with
\ntheir relatives.<\/p>\n
Police said that the northern coastal roads (Pantura), which
\nstretch from Jakarta to Central Java, were prone to accidents.<\/p>\n
It is estimated that at least 20 million people from Jakarta
\nand other towns in West Java have used or will use the Pantura
\nroute as Idul Fitri and Christmas near.<\/p>",
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