Kerosene tanker bursts into flames

SITUBONDO, East Java: A driver of a tanker truck was killed instantly and his assistant suffered minor injuries when the tanker truck he was driving hit a tree in Situbondo area in East Java province on Monday.

A police officer from the Banyuputih Police here, Ngatiman, explained that the body of the truck driver, Suwito, a resident of Argowilis in Bondowoso regency, had already been taken to Situbondo General Hospital, while his assistant, whose identity is still unknown, was being treated at the Asembagus public clinic near the location of the accident.

Police are still looking into the accident, which caused a heavy traffic jam on the Situbondo-Banyuwangi highway. Vehicles on the highway were backed up on Monday for several kilometers as firemen were busy trying to extinguish the fire.

Based on a preliminary investigation into the case, the driver lost control of the vehicle when driving at high speed on Jl. Situbondo. As a result, the truck skidded, hit a tree and then burst into flames. -- Antara