11 killed in van crash

JAKARTA (JP): A van carrying 20 people plunged into a river in Sampang, East Java on Saturday, killing 11 of the passengers and seriously injuring the rest a press report stated yesterday.

The Antara news agency reported that the van was traveling at a high speed when it skidded as it reached a bridge in the Kedungdaung village at about 4 a.m. on Saturday.

Eight people were killed at the site of the accident and another three died on the way to hospital, the report said. Among those killed was a five-year-old boy.

Chief of the Sampang police precinct, Lt. Col. Mudjiana, said that the accident happened because the driver, who he identified as Hariyadi, was recklessly.

He said the driver was lighting a cigarette when he lost control of the van and it plunged into the river, about 15 meter under the bridge.

"I think Hariyadi was lying when he told us that he was throwing away his cigarette butt when his van skidded because one needs no time to throw away a cigarette butt," he said.

The police had difficulties in taking the victims to hospital because passing public buses refused to carry them. (pan)