A mother, father and their two-year old toddler have died after their motorbike crashed into a 19-meter deep ravine in Gitgit village, Sukasada, on Saturday. The pair were traveling from Denpasar to the north coast village of Bugis, Singaraja, with their three children when the husband, who was driving, lost control of the bike and careered into a gorge.
According to a report in Bali Express, the woman, named Alhidayah, 37, and the youngest child, Zafira Mascatty, 2, were declared dead on the scene, while the husband Failasuf Mascatty, 39, died in Buleleng Hospital in the early hours of Sunday morning. The other two victims, Zairah Mascatty, 6, and Zaheen Mascatty, 5, suffered head and neck wounds and are currently receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit in Buleleng Hospital.
Sukasada Police are still investigating the cause of the accident, though sharp downhill turns and slippery roads due to heavy rain are believed to have contributed. While officers continue to examine witnesses and check the motorbike for technical faults, the fact that the vehicle was clearly overloaded cannot be overlooked.
It’s not uncommon to see whole families riding a single scooter here in Bali despite the fact that the excessive weight can make it difficult to control. In fact, according to Indonesian law, it’s illegal to carry more than one passenger, with violations carrying a penalty of IDR250,000 (about US$18), or a month in prison. Sadly, for many local families, motorbikes are the only option as buying a car is simply too expensive.
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