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)