Three electrocuted in public minivan accident

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)