One killed, two injured in collision

JAKARTA (JP): A speeding minibus crashed into a passing train at a level crossing on Jl. Pramuka, Central Jakarta on Wednesday, killing one of the bus passengers and severely injuring another and the bus driver.

The dead victim was identified as Sri Suhartini, 23, a worker at a garment company in Pulogadung, while the injured passenger was named as Aswan, an employee of a private company.

Sri Suhartini's body was dismembered. Her body parts were collected by local residents before being buried by her family on Thursday in Menteng Pulo public cemetery.

Glokas Nainggolan, the driver of the T49 minibus plying the Manggarai-Pulogadung route, suffered head and back injuries.

Both the victims were rushed to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in Central Jakarta.

Witnesses said the accident was caused by Glokas' inability to control the bus while driving it at a high speed.

He failed to stop at the level crossing, Glokas' unidentified codriver said, adding that he had warned the driver not to hurry.

"Instead of listening to me, Glokas said that passengers at Pulogadung bus terminal had been waiting for the service and he even scolded me for warning him," he said.

"When we were close to the crossing, four cars stopped and waited. But the minibus overtook the four cars from behind to pass and the accident was then unavoidable," he said.

"I didn't dare to watch what happened next. I only heard the brakes. Later I saw the minibus had been over turned and dragged at least 20 meters away from the level crossing," he said.

The codriver and a third minibus passenger escaped unhurt. (emf)