Policeman dies in truck smash

BOGOR (JP): A police officer was killed and 20 of his colleagues injured after the truck they were in smashed into a bridge on Jl. Raya Pongkor in Nanggung, Bogor, late on Tuesday night.

Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) Second Sgt. Robert Parlindungan reportedly died instantly.

Six of the 20 officers -- all second sergeants -- are in critical condition. They are Ferdy, Agus, Aang, Anto, Triyadi and Djamal Abidin.

All the victims were taken to PMI Bogor Hospital by people living nearby who witnessed the incident.

According to two survivors of the crash, Second Sgt. Kartono, 24, and Second Sgt. Nandang, 23, the collision took place around 11 p.m. on Tuesday.

"The truck, driven by Second Sgt. Deni, was careering round a sharp turn near the bridge when the brakes suddenly jammed. The speeding truck hit the side of the bridge and crashed into a cliff before landing with its wheels up," Kartono said.

The West Java Brimob officers in the truck were returning to their dormitory in Ciberik, Bandung regency, after a 3-month stint guarding a goldmine belonging to PT Antam in Pongkor mountain, Bogor regency.

On Wednesday morning, relatives of the dead officer picked up his body from the hospital to be laid down to rest in Bandung. (21/edt)