Reckless bus driver sought

TANGERANG (JP): Local police here are still trying to trace the whereabouts of the Primajasa bus driver who managed to escape after his packed bus overturned on the Kebon Jeruk-Tangerang toll road on Sunday in an accident which killed six passengers and injured many others.

Tangerang Police Detectives Chief Capt. Edy Setyobudi said on Sunday the reckless driver, identified as Anton Siregar, hastily left the site after his speeding bus hit the toll road's fence and overturned.

"We hope the driver will surrender himself before police officers take stern action because he is responsible for the accident," Edy said.

The officer said the driver should be processed in accordance with the existing laws for his mistake that cost the lives of six passengers and injured 20 others.

"The driver should have asked for police help instead of escaping from the scene," he added.

Among the dead in the 5 p.m. accident on Saturday is a pregnant woman, identified as Sukati of Lampung, southern Sumatra.

The other five bodies were identified as Samijan, Lintang, Apeng Sutisna, Jakson Sakam and Hotda Sagala.

The accident occurred at kilometer 13 when the driver of the packed bus -- heading to Balaraja in Tangerang from Kampung Rambutan, East Jakarta -- lost control of the vehicle after attempting to overtake a car from the left.

The slick road surface led to the bus overturning, trapping all the occupants inside.

As of Sunday, dozens of people had visited the Tangerang General Hospital's morgue to identify the bodies.

"We came here to identify the bodies. Who knows if they are our relatives or not?" Fadely said. (41/jun)