Women falls, crushed to death by passing train

JAKARTA (JP): A member of staff at a health clinic in the Kemayoran police subprecinct died yesterday after falling from and being crushed by an economy-class train at Gaplok market, Central Jakarta.

Suratmi Rini Utami, 53, a resident of Jl. Tebing, Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, was about to get off the train when she lost her balance after a thief tried to snatch her handbag.

She fell and died immediately as the wheels crushed her feet and right hand.

Suratmi, her husband and two other relatives had come from Madiun, East Java, after attending a wedding in Badung, Bali on Friday, her nephew Untung Basuki said.

They were about to alight at Senen station, just a few meters away from Gaplok market, Sukirno, the victim's husband, said.

"We were all standing in the doorway as the train reduced speed at Gaplok market," he said.

"Suddenly a man outside the train snatched her handbag hanging over her shoulder, causing her to fall," he said.

"I didn't think the man was a thief. I thought he was just an ordinary passenger like the others," Sukirno said.

"The incident happened so fast. I didn't even remember the snatcher's face," Sukirno, who was accompanied by his five children, said.

Suratmi, who has served at the clinic for almost thirty years, was approaching her retirement. She dreamed of owning her own land in Kalimantan, Untung said.

The body was scheduled to be buried at Pondok Kelapa cemetery, East Jakarta today, Sukirno said.

Johar Baru Police Subprecinct Commander Capt. Suwito said the case had already been reported to his office.

Police had identified the suspects, who were believed to have a base camp near the railway tracks, Suwito said.

"The suspects' activities are very dangerous. They are no longer just snatchers, but have crossed the line into murder," he added.

Suwito went to the Cipto Mangunkusumo general hospital's morgue as a friend of the victim's.

"I came as a mourning friend. I know her family well," he said. (04)