Falling tree kills movie director, injures crew

BOGOR (JP): A 52-year-old TV drama series director, Abdul Kadir, died during the shooting of his Borobudur action series when a tree fell on him in a forest studio at Situ Gede village, Sindang Barang Jero in West Bogor on Wednesday afternoon.

The incident, which took place around 3:30 p.m. at Plot 19 of the forest studio, also left five crew members severely injured.

Project director Samudji Santosa, 62, actor Iman Darusman, 45, and script writer Yussi, 29, were hurt in the accident. They were taken to Bogor PMI Hospital, while two other crew members, Arly and Beno, were rushed to Karya Bhakti Hospital.

Abdul died instantly after an Enterolobium cyelocarpum tree, locally known as Sengon Buto, fell on him, crushing his head and breaking his neck and shoulder.

According to movie assistant director Chep Irman, the incident took place as the group was preparing to shoot scenes after lunch. It was then that sudden heavy winds began whipping through the trees.

"Mas Kadir was about to direct an action shot when the tree which killed him snapped in half and went crashing to the earth," Irman told reporters at the Bogor PMI Hospital.

"I tried to help but it was too late," Irman said tearfully.

Eddie Karsito, marketing and promotion manager of PT Tunas Cipta Centra Cinema, which produces the TV series, said the action drama had only shot a couple of episodes.

"We picked this place because the forest and the environment are beautiful," he said.

The 60-hectare forest has trees 20-meters in height and one- meter in width.

The Sengon Buto tree which killed Kadir and injured some of his crew was roughly this size. (21/edt)