Two bodies found after 'bajaj' plunges into canal
Two bodies found after 'bajaj' plunges into canal
JAKARTA (JP): Two of the four passengers in a bajaj (three-
wheeled taxi) that plunged into the Banjir Kanal waterway in
Petamburan, Central Jakarta, after being hit by a train Tuesday
evening were found dead yesterday.
The bodies of the two victims, identified as Rasmini and Suri
were spotted floating in the canal, Nanang Tarmizi, chief of the
Penjernihan neighborhood where the four passengers lived, said
yesterday.
The two, accompanied by Suri's former husband Wardji and
Suri's granddaughter Neneng Suharni were on their way to Slipi in
Central Jakarta to take a bus to Cirebon, West Jakarta, Nanang
said.
"The four were to visit their relatives in Cirebon," he said.
When they passed over the level crossing, which had been left
unattended, they were hit by the Rangkasbitung-Tanah Abang train
and dragged for about 20 meters before plunging into the nearby
canal, Nanang said.
Only Neneng, 18, managed to survive the incident. She
clambered out of the vehicle as soon as it hit the water. Wardji
and the unidentified bajaj driver are still missing, he said.
The City Police's diving unit is still looking for the two
missing people.
The bodies of Rasmini and Suri were taken to Cipto
Mangunkusumo General Hospital for postmortems.
Nanang explained that the four took a bajaj from in front of
their house, about 200 meters from where the accident took place.
Neneng is being treated at Kramat Jati Police Hospital in East
Jakarta for a broken hip.
She said: "I wish to know where my grandma and grandpa are
now. I'm tired. I've been transferred from one hospital to
another. First I was taken to Petamburan Hospital, but I was
rejected me because it was full.
"Then I was taken to Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital. There I was
rejected again because priority was being given to dengue fever
patients," she said. She was eventually taken to Kramat Jati
Hospital in East Jakarta.
City police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang told reporters
that about 20 accidents were recorded at level crossings in the
first three months of this year.
"Most of the level crossings where the accidents took place
were left without guards. Usually some residents willingly guard
the intersections, but we cannot rely on people's help all the
time," he said.
Last Monday, an accident occurred at the Jl. Pramuka level
crossing, Central Jakarta, where a minibus and a wide-bodied bus
were hit by train.
"Related parties should pay more attention to this matter,"
Aritonang added. (edt/ivy)