One dies in fire engine crash

One dies in fire engine crash

CIREBON, West Java: At least one person died and four others
were injured when a fire engine slammed into a car on Tuesday at
8.30 a.m. on Jl. Fatahillah, Megu village, Weru district, Cirebon
regency, West Java.

The incident happened when Khaeruddin, who was driving the
fire engine at high speed, tried to avoid a motorist. The vehicle
hit Suparda alias Suharno, 35, who was loading some tents onto a
car which was parked at the roadside. He died instantly.

The truck also struck a market and a house nearby, injuring
Saonah, 70, Wiwik, 40, Kadmira, 25, and Roso, 30. They were sent
to Gunung Jati General Hospital.

Adj. Comr. Zairusi, head of the Cirebon Police's Traffic
Division, said that Khaerudin, 25, was not the real driver of the
fire engine. "He was forced to do the driving as the normal
driver was sick," he said.

An enraged crowd mobbed Khaerudin following the incident, but
the police came just in time as the angry residents were about to
set the fire engine on fire. --JP