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)