Argolawu train hits minivan

PURWOKERTO, Central Java: The Argolawu executive train bound to Jakarta from Surakarta hit a village minivan at a railroad crossing at Kedung Wuluh Lor village, Banyumas district, Central Java, at noon on Monday. No fatalities were reported.

The minivan was totally wrecked after being dragged about 300 meters, eyewitnesses said.

Local police chief Second Insp. Edy Santoso told reporters at the accident scene that the minivan, which was traveling to Cilongok from Patikraja village, stalled on the railroad crossing, which was not protected by a barrier.

"There were 20 passengers, not including the driver, in the minivan when it suddenly stalled on the railroad track," Edy said.

Sugondo, on of the passengers, told The Jakarta Post that some of the passengers tried to help the driver push the minivan, while some others, mostly women and children, remained on board.

"About ten people were pushing the van, but it wouldn't move. We all kept pushing it. We were shocked to see the train speeding at us from the east. The people on the van then rushed to get off and two minutes later the train smashed into it," said Sugondo.

Edy said that police had discovered why the minivan had stalled. "We found that the tie-rod was broken."

The driver, Kirman, 32, who is police custody, said he was not aware that the tie-rod was broken. (45)