Three electrocuted in public minivan accident

JAKARTA (JP): Three people were electrocuted and three others suffered light injuries on Wednesday after their public minivan plunged into a ditch on Jl. Raya Bekasi, Ujung Menteng, Cakung, East Jakarta.

East Jakarta Police chief of the traffic accident unit, Second. Insp. Khaerudin, identified the dead victims as Junias Gultom, 46, the driver of the minivan, Umamah, 49, and her 8-year old daughter, who were both sitting in the front seat of the van.

Witnesses said the public minivan was speeding from the direction of Pulogadung, East Jakarta, when another car suddenly overtook it.

"The minivan driver looked startled and apparently lost control of the vehicle," a witness, Ari, said.

The van hit an electricity pole before plunging into a 1.5- meter deep ditch on Jl. Raya Bekasi, at kilometer 21, right in front of the public transportation examination office.

One of electricity wires fell on the van, apparently electrifying the van's body, a witness, Ari said.

When trying to get out of his van, Junias Gultom, a resident of Kayu Tinggi subdistrict, Cakung, touched the car's metal door and was electrocuted, Ari added.

Junias Gulton, former driver of state-owned city transportation company PPD, died on the scene.

Ummamah, a resident of Sukalila subdistrict, Jatibarang, West Java, was also electrocuted on the scene, he added.

Khaeruddin confirmed that Junias Gultom and Ummamah died on the scene, while the eight-year old girl died at Bekasi General Hospital before receiving medical treatment.

Three other passengers who had yet to be identified were also sent to Bekasi Hospital for treatment. (01)