Traffic accidents kill 18

Traffic accidents kill 18

JAMBI, Jambi: A total of 18 people were killed in three
separate traffic accidents here and in the East Java town of
Ponorogo on Monday.

A head-on collision involving a minibus and a truck on the
Trans Sumatra highway in Jambi claimed four lives of a family who
left the town for a New Year holiday. Six other minibus
passengers and its driver survived, but four of them were
severely injured.

The fatalities were identified as Opung Irma Sihombing, 60,
Yohanes Siahaan, 48, Roma Boro Jawa, 4, and Onces Sibarani, 4.
They were residents of the Rimbo Bujang district.

Head of the police's traffic unit, Second Lt. Enos Lase told
Antara that the crash took place at a sharp bend. He blamed the
truck for the incident, saying it crossed over the traffic line.

The truck's driver is now in police detention.

Meanwhile, at least 13 people were killed and another 16
injured when their pickup truck plunged into a ravine in Candi
village in Ponorogo.

Carrying about 40 passengers, the truck failed to climb a
steep curve and went down the eight-meter deep ravine, killing 12
of the passengers instantly.

Earlier in the day, a woman died as an overloaded pickup truck
overturned in Cepoko village, also in Ponorogo. (lem/amd)