Train-bus collision kills seven

Train-bus collision kills seven

PALEMBANG, South Sumatra (JP): Seven people died, including a
three-month-old baby and 26 others were injured when a public bus
was hit by a coal train early Sunday morning.

Chief of Muara Enim Police Adj. Comr. Budi Sardjono said the
bus, Tasima Star 2000, plying the Jakarta-Palembang route was hit
by a coal train as it was crossing over a railway line in
Prabumulih.

"The guard at the railway crossing failed to lower the
crossing gate so the bus just crossed the railway without any
warning that a train was approaching. As it crossed the railway
line, the train hit the bus," Budi said.

The bus was dragged around 25 meters from where it was
initially hit, he said.

The guard at the crossing gate, identified as Sugiyono, is
being detained by police.

Muara Enim is located some 120 kilometers south of Palembang.

The fatalities included the two drivers of the bus which
carried 40 people.

Police have identified the victims as bus drivers Anang
Rozali, 46, Wandi, 40, Deni, 36 and baby Nuraini. Three others
have yet to be identified.

The injured were being treated at nearby state-run Prabumulih
General Hospital and several of them were rushed to A.K. Gani
Hospital in Palembang for further treatment.

The Sunday morning incident was the second train accident in
Muara Enim regency since April when a similar incident killed one
person.

Spokesman of the local railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia
(PT KAI) Basnawi could not be reached for comment. (33/emf)