Van, truck collide head on, killing 10

Van, truck collide head on, killing 10

UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: A speeding van hit a parked
truck here on Thursday night, killing 10 people and severely
injuring three others.

Witnesses said an Isuzu Panther van, carrying 11 passengers
and traveling at high speed on a street in Limbangan, Labakkang
district, Pangkep regency, some 65 kilometers from here, tried to
stop abruptly to avoid colliding with a Toyota Kijang van
approaching from the opposite direction.

The Kijang overturned but managed to avoid a collision. Its
driver survived and fled afterwards to avoid police.

The Panther hit a Nissan truck parked on the side of the
street. Nine out of its 11 passengers died instantly at the
scene, while another one was pronounced dead after undergoing
emergency treatment at a nearby general hospital.

Another passenger was still reported to be in intensive care
at Ujungpandang Hospital, along with the truck driver, identified
as Mustamin, 35, and his assistant, Hengky, 29.

Pangkep Police chief Lt. Col. Haryogo said the police were
still looking for the Kijang driver for questioning. (09/30)