Seven killed in Cilacap car crash

Agus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Cilacap, Central Java

Seven people, including six people from one family, were killed when their Kijang minivan collided with a bus in Majenang subdistrict, Cilacap regency, Central Java, midnight Wednesday.

All the deceased were passengers in the Kijang that witnesses and police said was speeding while traveling from Ciamis regency, West Java, to Majenang.

The dead, all from Majenang, were identified as Hendry, 43, his wife Sumiati, 40, and their three children -- Sapril, 15, Rifkia, 11, and Putri, 6, -- as well as their nephew Arjun, 4.

The driver of the Kijang, Wanto Wibowo, 31, from Brebes regency, was reportedly taking a corner on Jl. Pahonjean, when it was met by a speeding bus on the wrong side of the road.

The minivan was dragged 20 meters, eventually hitting a house. The bus slammed into a tree.

None of the passengers of the bus were injured in the crash about 11:30 p.m. They were transferred to another bus to continue their journey from Purwokerto to Bandung. The bus involved in the crash was impounded as part of the police investigation.

Local residents, alerted to the crash by the noise and who attempted to save the victims, said the bend had claimed a number of lives.

Majenang Police chief First Insp. Aceng Rohman said he believed the accident was due to "human error" on the part of bus driver Uus Uswadi, 42.

Uus and his assistant were being held at the police station for further questioning.