Street singer run over, dies

JAKARTA (JP): A 12-year-old street singer was killed and seven of her friends were injured on Friday after they were hit by a car on the Slipi flyover in West Jakarta, a police officer said on Monday.

The children were playing under the flyover when they were hit. The victim's mother said the driver of the car lost control at a crossroads when the light turned red.

Novi Handayani died at the scene from a fractured skull, and her eight-year-old sister, Lilis Handayani, underwent treatment for a broken leg at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital in Central Jakarta on Monday.

Lilis' uncle, Supari, 30, said on Monday that his nieces sang on the streets to support their family. He said the girls earned about Rp 5,000 a day.

Dini Harlisa, 10, who received 15 stitches in her forehead, remains hospitalized.

Sukiran, the father of six-year-old Putri Windasari who was also injured, told reporters his daughter was not a street child but joined her friends to celebrate the Idul Fitri holiday.

The owner of the car offered to cover the hospital bills of the injured. Their parents, except Sukiran, accepted the offer.

The other four children were released from the hospital.(06)