Colissions kill 10 in N. Sumatra

Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan

Three separate road accidents in Medan and Langkat, North Sumatra, claimed 10 lives and injured six others on Sunday night.

The accidents took place in Tanjung Morawa, Tanjung Baru and Tanjung Mulia, Medan; and Sukajadi in Langkat.

In Tanjung Morawa six minibus passengers died instantly, when a bus and a minivan swerved to avoid a head-on collision. Three others, including the minibus driver, suffered serious injuries, said Chalid, an witness. Three of the six passengers were from one family -- Rachmad, 40, wife Yohani Limbong, 35, and son Fajar, 8.

None of the other deceased have been named.

Witnesses said the accident occurred when a minibus heading southeast from Medan overtook a car. In an attempt to avoid an oncoming bus, the bus driver slammed on the brakes and the bus hit a wall, they said. The driver of the minibus lost control of the vehicle and it rolled.

As the eight passengers and the driver of the minibus were trying to get out of the car, a large truck hit the minibus.

The police detained the truck driver, but the minibus and bus drivers fled the scene and were still at large, they said. Three bus passengers were injured and treated at the Deli Serdang Hospital in Medan.

In Tanjung Mulia, Medan, a trailer truck hit a seven-year-old boy and killed him instantly on Sunday night.

An witness recalled the truck was speeding and hit the boy, who was walking on the roadside.

The truck driver panicked and sped away from the scene, colliding with several motorcycles and cars, and also with two hawker stalls, before plunging into a ditch. Two local residents were severely injured, while Nurdin, the driver, was attacked by locals shortly after.

Police officers quickly intervened and saved Nurdin from any further injuries. Medan police traffic section Comr. Yusuf said the truck's brakes were faulty.

In Sukajadi, a three people were killed and another was injured when a truck crashed head-on into a van.