Chronology of a dump truck overturn in Amfoang, Kupang, which killed two passengers
The Kupang Police disclosed the chronology of a dump truck overturn on the Takari-Lelogama Highway, at Gunung Naitonis, Oh’aem I Village, Amfoang Selatan District, Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The crash left two people dead and four others injured.
“Indeed, it resulted in two fatalities and four others injured,” said Head of Public Relations for the Kupang Police, Inspector First Class Lalu Randy Hidayat, to detikBali on Thursday (21 May 2026).
Randy explained that the crash began when a DH 8265 BH plate vehicle was travelling from Lelogama to Takari with six people on board. They were Niko Baitanu (32) as driver, and Defi Banunaek (3), Yoskotim Bait (14), Random Banunaek (8), Aminadap Naat (11), Paulus Tampani (11) and Kelfin Batmalo (11) as passengers.
“At that time five people were in the rear, while the other two were in the front, including the driver,” Randy said.
According to Randy, upon arriving at the site there was a downhill section. Suddenly the truck’s wheel axle detached, causing the vehicle to lose control and speed away.
Niko briefly tried to steer the truck against the road barrier to reduce speed in order to save the passengers, but the impact caused Yoskotim to fall to the right side and become trapped between the barrier and the body, dying at the scene.
Seeing the situation growing increasingly out of control, Niko and the other four attempted to jump out. Tragically, this caused four passengers to suffer lacerations and injuries.
Randy stated that Random sustained a head laceration, Aminadab a laceration and bleeding to the left leg and left temple. Paulus sustained a laceration and bleeding to the knee. Kelfin Batmalo sustained a graze to the right leg.
Meanwhile, Defi Banunaek, who sat beside the driver, fell and became trapped inside the vehicle and died after the truck rolled away.
The incident was reported to the police. Shortly after, officers from Amfoang Selatan Police Sector and the Kupang Traffic Police arrived at the scene to carry out an on-site examination of the TKP (crime scene).
“We immediately transported the victims to Puskesmas Lelogama for medical treatment,” Randy concluded.
Earlier reports indicated a dump truck had overturned on the Takari-Lelogama Road, precisely at Gunung Naitonis, Oh’aem I, Amfoang Selatan, Kupang, NTT, on Wednesday (20 May 2026). Two passengers were reported dead in that single-vehicle crash.
“Yes, two people died,” said Amfoang Selatan Police Chief Ipda Andy Gunawan when contacted by detikBali on Thursday (21 May 2026).