JAKARTA – E-hailing motorcycle rider, Affan Kurniawan, 21, died after being run over by a tactical vehicle belonging to the Mobile Brigade (Brimob) of Jakarta Metro Police while trying to retrieve his mobile phone that had fallen in the middle of the road.
The tragedy occurred as police were dispersing a protest near the Bendungan Hilir II apartments, Central Jakarta, on Aug 28.
E-hailing Community Rapid Response Unit (URC) Public Relations Officer Erna said that according to witnesses, Affan had fallen while attempting to pick up his dropped phone amidst the chaos of the crowd.
“He was in the middle of the road, his phone fell. When he tried to retrieve it, he was hit and then the tactical vehicle came and ran over him,” Erna reportedly said when met at the mortuary in Jalan Lasem, Menteng, on Friday.
Erna explained that Affan had tried to get up after being struck, but the Brimob tactical vehicle, a “Barracuda” type, allegedly reversed briefly before speeding away from the scene.
“It was only about a foot away. The vehicle reversed due to the commotion, then immediately sped off,” she said.
Crowds at the location reportedly chased the vehicle as far as the Kasablanka flyover.
“Affan, who was severely injured, was rushed to the hospital. He was still alive when brought to the emergency unit, but five minutes later his pulse stopped,” Erna recounted.
Erna said visible injuries could be seen on Affan’s bloodied face, while the impact was believed to have caused serious internal organ damage.
“It was clear his internal organs were badly damaged,” she said.
Erna also confirmed that the viral video circulating on social media, showing the victim lying on the road after being run over was Affan.
Affan was pronounced dead at about 7.50pm.
Erna, who accompanied the body to Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, said confirmation was carried out in the mortuary before the news was conveyed to members of the e-hailing community. – Agency