Two buses collide in Menteng, 35 injured

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Two buses collided at the intersection of Jl. Teuku Cik Ditiro and Jl. Diponegoro?, Menteng, Central Jakarta, during the morning peak period on Friday, causing traffic congestion for more than an hour.

No fatalities were reported in accident that occurred at 9:15 a.m., but six people were severely injured, of a total 35 who sustained injuries, including a bus crew. All the injured were taken to Cipto Mangunkusumo general hospital, less than one kilometer from the scene.

Witnesses said that the collision occurred because the driver of a number 502 Kopaja bus on the Tanah Abang to Kampung Rambutan route ignored a traffic light about to turn red.

The Kopaja bus wanted to turn right when suddenly a PPD Patas (limited-seat) number 16 bus, on the Rawamangun to Lebak Bulus route, came from the opposite direction at high speed, colliding with the nearside of the Kopaja bus.

Both drivers fled the scene.

Menteng traffic police chief Adj. Comr. Rahmat told The Jakarta Post that police had obtained information from the PPD bus pool in Cawang, East Jakarta, that the driver of the bus, Tarigan, had reported the incident to the pool.

"He was taken to the Christian University of Indonesia (UKI) hospital for treatment after he fainted, possibly due to a fractured rib," said Rahmat.

"Police are still searching for Siahaan, the driver of the Kopaja bus, who escaped the scene," he said.

He said that of six victims who had suffered severe injuries, three had to undergo surgery.

As many as 14 victims had to be hospitalized while the remaining 21 others were allowed to go home, he said.

Police have recorded an increase in traffic accidents in the city, mostly involving fatalities.

As of August this year, fatal traffic accidents reported to the police jumped by 37 percent to 334 casualties, as against 243 over the same period last year.