Two people die in train crash

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.