Sergeant struck by train at crossing

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)