Train hits car in Demak, 5 dead

The Jakarta Post, Demak, Central Java, Wednesday October 08


The Argo Bromo Anggrek executive train from Surabaya was bound for Jakarta when it slammed into a Toyota Kijang car in Karangawen, Demak regency, Central Java, at around 11:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday.

According to witnesses, the car made a sudden stop on the railway crossing when a train was approaching at high speed. The train smashed into the car. Four people died on site, while another victim died after being rushed to Karangawen community health center (Puskesmas).

“The car was flung around 10 meters. It is thought that the accident was due to the driver’s carelessness. He did not look properly before crossing the railway track where that is no barrier. Local residents, who were near the location when the accident occurred, tried to save all nine victims by removing them from the car,” Karangawen Police chief Adj. Comr. Budi Harsono told The Jakarta Post.

Meanwhile, state railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) region IV Semarang operational head, Suprapto, said the incident occurred at a railway crossing located between Tegowanu Station and Brumbung Station, Demak. The nine victims were all in the car and were traveling from Sukoharjo, Central Java.

“The injured victims were rushed to Puskesmas Karangawen,” said Budi.

The victims who died on site are the driver, Hartanto, Ponimin, Sri Wahyuni and Sutaryo, while Lilis died at the health center.

The four remaining victims, Esti Wahyuntari, Faiz Abdilah, Ponirah and Selma, are undergoing medical treatment at Puskesmas Karangawen.



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