One dead in Tegal train-car crash

TEGAL, Central Java: At least one person was killed and another seriously wounded when their vehicle was hit by an executive train in the town, police said on Monday.

Tegal Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Brata Mandala said the accident occurred at around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, when a Suzuki Carry minivan tried to negotiate the rail crossing on Jl. Merpati, even though the barrier had already been lowered.

The vehicle's engine stalled, and seconds later the Sembrani train on the Jakarta to Surabaya route arrived and plowed directly into the minivan.

Sugianto died instantly while his driver, Budi Hartono, was severely injured when he jumped from the minivan. --JP