Angry crowd burns minivan

JAKARTA (JP): A mob set fire to a public transportation minivan on Jl. Raya Bintara, Bekasi, after it fatally struck an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver, police said yesterday.

The motorcycle passenger was also injured. The minivan's driver, Colfrit Aritonang, 24, was slightly hurt but hid from the crowd in fear of his life. He later turned himself in to the police.

Bekasi Police Chief Let. Col. Adjie Rustam told reporters the ojek driver, Jumadi, 30, died at the scene following the head-on collision due to severe head injuries.

"The people, angry after they failed to find Colfrit who hid in a kiosk, turned on his van," Adjie said.

"When the police arrived on the scene, the minivan was already on fire."

No arrests were made for the burning of the minivan.

Separately yesterday, city police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said four people injured in Monday's train-bus collision in Central Jakarta remained in comas at the Cipto Mangunkusumo and Persahabatan hospitals.

He said they were passengers of a Mayasari Bhakti bus who were unable to jump off the vehicle before it was hit by an economy- class train headed for Pasar Senen station at a railway crossing on Jl. Pramuka, Aritonang said. (edt)