Sergeant struck by train at crossing

JAKARTA (JP): A uniformed police sergeant on a motor scooter was crashed to death by a speeding train at a level crossing in Cipinang Lontar, East Jakarta, yesterday morning.

Witnesses, including a fellow sergeant, said the accident was the fault of the victim, Chief Sgt. Robert Sihombing, who passed through a closed barrier to cross the train tracks.

According to Chief Sgt. Subadiono, one of the witnesses, Robert went around the level crossing's barriers, which were closed because a train was due to pass.

"When the train had passed, he just crossed the railway tracks without realizing there was another speeding train coming from the opposite direction," said Subadiono.

The accident took place on the railway tracks in front of his office, the National Police Directorate of Logistics on Jl. Bekasi Timur Raya.

Robert died instantly. His legs were broken and his head severed. The train dragged his scooter five meters.

His remains were taken to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in Central Jakarta for a postmortem examination.

The victim's relatives went to the hospital's morgue to identify the body.

Robert's mother, Elina Sihombing, burst into tears and sang a Batak dirge.

Her husband, Mathias, stood still beside her and tried to calm her down after most of the relatives began to sing with her.

She cried: "Don't bury my son, he is in pain."

"Robert, my naughty son, was crashed by a train, it must hurt," she said.

According to Mathias, his son had acted strangely days before the accident.

"Two days ago, for instance, he withdrew all of his savings and donated it to a nearby church." (04)