Seven killed in Bogor collision

BOGOR (JP): Seven people on board an overloaded angkot (public minivan) were killed and four others severely injured when a speeding intercity bus collided with the vehicle at the Sukasari intersection in the wee hours of Wednesday.

Four of the victims died instantly, while the other three died later at the Indonesian Red Cross hospital.

The victims included the driver of the angkot.

The driver of the bus, identified as Tatang, fled the scene.

"He's still at large," a police officer said.

According to data from the local police, the collision took place when the street was almost deserted at about 3:30 a.m.

The bus, belonging to the Lorena transportation company, was empty when the accident took place, the police said. It was headed for the Baranangsiang terminal from the company's bus pool in Tajur.

"The angkot was heading to Tajur from the Sukasari area and was just about to cross the intersection when it was hit by the speeding bus, which was coming from the opposite direction," the officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.

"The angkot was dragged some 10 meters from the scene," he added.

Sources at the hospital identified the seven dead victims as angkot driver Dedi Supriadi, Maman Suparman, Ujang Patrimin, Etek, Yanah, Ajum Junaedi and Sri Maryati.

Most were Bogor residents.

The two vehicles have been impounded for evidence in the investigation into the fatal collision. (24/bsr)