One killed in train-truck collision

PURWOKERTO, Central Java: Wagiran, 50, a grade-crossing gate keeper on Jl. Raya Sumpiuh, Banyumas, died Saturday when a speeding truck crashed into the Senja Utama train at his post.

Wagiran died upon impact when the a truck, with police number G 1786 AU, carrying cement, slammed into the post.

Truck driver Supardi, 35, told the police he was heading to Surakarta, Central Java, from Cirebon, West Java, to deliver the load. He said the crossing gate was not down, so he did not stop the truck.

"I didn't see any sign that the gate was about to close down so I just drove on. All at once a train came from the north direction," Supardi, who suffered serious injuries because of the accident, said.

He is currently receiving medical treatment at Muhammadiyah General Hospital in the neighboring town of Gombong.

The train hit the rear part of the truck, dragging it along for some 10 meters before crashing into the gate keeper's post. - JP