Three hurt as train rams bus

Three hurt as train rams bus

JAKARTA (JP): A Mayasari Bhakti bus (left photo) was hit by an
economy-class train heading for Pasar Senen station at a railway
crossing on Jl. Pramuka, Central Jakarta, yesterday, leaving at
least three people seriously injured.

The accident involving the Purwakarta-Jakarta train and the
bus plying the Kota-Pulo Gadung route occurred at about 6:30
p.m., a witness said.

"Many of the bus passengers managed to get out of the bus on
seeing the oncoming train," the witness said.

The ill-fated bus was at the tail end of a line of cars whose
way was blocked by a Metromini minibus which stopped to pick up
passengers near the crossing.

The witnesses said the Mayasari bus could have avoided the
crash if it had moved.

"It did not do so apparently because it also wanted to pick up
passengers there. But it was too slow. The barriers had already
closed," the witness said.

The bus, trapped on the crossing, was dragged about five
meters.

An angry mob attacked the Metromini they blamed for the
accident, smashing the windows. The driver escaped and
surrendered to the police. (jun/afs)