Replacement driver arrested

Replacement driver arrested

BREBES, Central Java: The Brebes police arrested Prayitno, the
replacement driver of the Langsung Jaya bus, at a restaurant in
Kendal regency two days after an incident in which 10 passengers
were killed and six others injured.

Prayitno said on Monday that he was not responsible for the
tragic accident, as he was not on the bus when the incident took
place. He had gotten out of the vehicle before it reached Brebes.

Police have named driver Suranto, 40, and conductor Joko
Bengkong, 34, as suspects in the accident. Both are still at
large.

Brebes Police detective chief First Insp. Eko Hadi P. said
that they were still searching for the two suspects.

He also said that the forensic team had discovered the cause
of the fire: "The wires to the battery were stripped bare and
caused a short circuit that started the fire."

Eko also said that one of the victims, Sarjo, who had earlier
been confirmed dead, was alive. The body that had been identified
as Sarjo's, was identified as Zamanan.

All the victims' families will receive compensation from
state-owned insurance company PT Jasa Raharja. Each family who
had a relative die in the accident will receive Rp 10 million
(US$1,220) while the injured will get Rp 5 million. --JP