Two people die in train crash

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A train from Bogor hit a van and a motorcycle while crossing a junction in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta on Friday, killing two people and injuring five others.

Ninik, 46, the driver of the van, and another unidentified man on the motorcycle, died on the spot after the Pakuan Express, on its way to Kota station in West Jakarta, slammed into the van, which later hit the motorcycle.

Several witnesses, who were also driving over the tracks at the time, said that the guards at the junction had not lowered the safety gates to stop motorists from crossing.

"It happened around 2 p.m. We didn't even see the guard at his post. As we had no warning that a train was coming. We just tried to cross," Amin, one of the motorists, said.

He said there were seven or eight other vehicles that were driving over the tracks at the time, and at least five of those had some damage.

Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. I Ketut Untung Yoga Ana said that officers at the Pasar Minggu police station were now questioning several witnesses, including the guard that was supposed to be stationed at the train crossing post.

He said there was an indication that the guard had been negligent.

"If he did not lower the bar or did not warn the motorists, then we will name him a suspect. We could charge him with negligence leading to fatalities. However, we are still gathering more evidence," he told The Jakarta Post later in the evening.

Ketut added that the five injured victims at the Pasar Rebo hospital in East Jakarta were out of danger and would likely be home within a week.

The dead were taken to the Cipto Mangunkusumo hospital morgue in Central Jakarta.