Man killed by train but saves 2 children

Man killed by train but saves 2 children
JP/ /Across

Man killed by train after saving 6 lives

SIDOARJO, East Java: A railway crossing attendant in Simorame
village in the town of Sidoarjo was struck and killed by a train
on Thursday, after he saved the lives of six kindergartners
crossing the railway track in a pedicab.

The 35-year-old Zaenal died instantly. Pedicab driver Dwi
Wongso, 35, sustained minor injuries while the six children,
averaging five years old, were unharmed.

Witnesses said that Zaenal had lowered one of the two railway
crossing gates and was about to lower the second one when he saw
the pedicab full of children from the Sabililah kindergarten
trying to cross the track.

Hearing the train approaching fast, he ran over to the pedicab
and pulled it away from the railway track. The train struck him
at that moment. Zaenal is survived by a wife and two children.

Police officer Sulasmadi said Zaenal earned some Rp 300,000
(about US$33) a month from fares he collected from residents.

Following the accident, several residents offered to help
Zaenal's family, and listeners of Radio Surabaya were heard
expressing their condolences. -- Antara