Well wisher trampled to death outside State Palace

Dead end: A A blind man (center) is pushed against the State Secretariat front gate by a crowd as well wishers fight for access to an open house event hosted by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Friday. One man was trampled to death in the commotion. – JP/Ricky Yudhistira

A blind man was trampled to death as thousands of people fought to enter the State Palace to greet President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on the first day of the Idul Fitri holidays on Friday.

Joni Malela, 45, died 10 minutes after receiving first aid in an ambulance parked in the State Secretariat compound. Jakarta health agency officer Theresia Indah Susanti said the man had died of exertion during the commotion.

“We gave him oxygen, but he did not respond,” Theresia said as quoted by Antara news agency.

Witnesses said Joni had been trying to exit the crowd when he was pushed to the ground. He was unconscious when he was taken to the ambulance, which served as a medical station in the compound.

The accident took place as well wishers were lining up outside of the State Secretariat entrance gate. Dozens of people fainted due to exertion.

Several well wishers said they went to the open house at the State Palace because they had heard they would receive Rp 300,000 (US$32) each, which turned out to be a hoax.

Later in the day, the President gave Rp 10 million to Joni’s family. Head of the palace’s press and media bureau D.J. Nacrowi said the President was shocked upon hearing of the accident.

"The President expressed his concern about the accident,” Nachrowi said.

The President received 3,500 well wishers during the event held between 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Nachrowi said not everyone who had come managed to get into the palace due to time restriction. At least 1,000 people were denied access to the palace.

The open house tradition was initiated by President Abdurrahman Wahid in 2000.