Indonesian train hits bus, five killed

An Indonesian passenger train plowed into a bus at a railway intersection on Java island today, killing 5 people and injuring 10, police said.

The accident occurred because a guard at the intersection had fallen asleep and forgotten to lower the barrier that prevents cars from crossing the tracks, said police Brig. Hananto.

The accident occurred in Jaten, 310 miles east of Jakarta.

All the victims were passengers on the bus, said Hananto, who like many Indonesians uses only one name.

Train accidents occur frequently in Indonesia because of poorly maintained, overcrowded and underfunded railways.

AP