Police Investigate Car Crash In Konawe River That Kills 3 People

Head of Public Relations of the Southeast Sulawesi Regional Police Kombes Ferry Walintukan/ANTARA

KENDARI - Police investigated the fall of a car from a pincara (a raft-type crossing device) and drowned in the Konaweha River, Konawe Regency, Southeast Sulawesi. As a result of this incident, three people died.

Head of Public Relations of the Southeast Sulawesi Regional Police Kombes Ferry Walintukan said the case of the car crash was being handled by the Directorate of Water and Air Police (Ditpolirud) of the Southeast Sulawesi Regional Police.

"Currently, we are still investigating. We have examined the operator from the pincara and the public witnesses who saw the incident," said Ferry, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, September 22.

Regarding crossing activities using pincara at the scene, his party will coordinate with the Department of Transportation.

A car fell in a river and sank in Konawe district, Sunday, September 19, killing three of the eight passengers.

The incident occurred when the car was being crossed via pincara on the river that connects Lalonggaluku Village and Laosu Village, Bondoala District.

Head of Basarnas Kendari Aris Sofingi said the unfortunate incident occurred at around 11.50 WITA.

He explained that initially the car carrying eight people was about to cross from Lalonggaluku Village to Morosi, Konawe Regency, in the middle of the Pincara crossing lost control so the car fell and was dragged by the current.

"The car was dragged about 50 meters from the point of fall. Five victims were rescued, while three people were trapped in the car," said Aris.

A total of three victims were successfully evacuated on the same day, at around 15.40 WITA, after a search was carried out.

"The three victims were found dead, trapped in the car and in the back row of seats," he said.

The victims were then evacuated to be handed over to their families and taken to the funeral home. They are a family who lives in Lamong Jaya Village, Laeya District, South Konawe Regency.

The survivors were Murdoko (48), Suhartono (34), Indah Mustikaning Wahyu (25), M. Alif Syuhada (3), Izza Wahyu Utami (2), while the victims who died were Sri Hasnati (41), Sumarsih (60), and Khofifah Eka Syahrani (8).