The crash occurred at around 6:00 p.m. on January 15 in the Tanjung Pagar area, a stretch of road that police say is frequently used for unauthorized racing despite regular patrols.
Head of Law Enforcement at the Banjarmasin Traffic Police Second Inspector Donny told reporters on Friday that one victim died at the scene while another later succumbed to injuries in hospital.
“There were three victims in total. One died while being transported to the hospital, and the other two were taken for medical treatment,” Donny said.
Police identified the victims as AKB, 24, AB, 15, and NHT, 15. NHT was pronounced dead on arrival at Ulin Regional Hospital in Banjarmasin, while AKB died about five hours later while undergoing treatment, Donny added.
According to investigators, the accident happened when NHT was riding a motorcycle from Lingkar Dalam Selatan Street toward Ibnu Sina Street in the early evening.
At the same time, a Honda Beat motorcycle carrying AKB as the rider and AB as a passenger was traveling at high speed from the opposite direction and was believed to be taking part in an illegal street race.
“The Honda Beat veered into the opposite lane and collided head-on with NHT’s motorcycle,” Donny said.
NHT suffered abrasions to the face and lost consciousness at the scene. Local residents called emergency volunteers, who rushed him to hospital, where he was later declared dead.
AKB sustained a cut to the right eyebrow, injuries to his legs and thighs, and bleeding from the nose and ears, while passenger AB suffered head injuries. Both were taken to hospital for treatment.
Police said the area has long been a hotspot for illegal racing, with participants often dispersing quickly to avoid law enforcement officers.
Investigators have secured the two motorcycles involved and are examining the crash site and questioning witnesses as part of an ongoing probe into the incident.
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Translator: Gunawan, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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