Reportedly fatigued after trekking to the top of Mt. Batur in Bangli yesterday morning, high school students Lianta and Hanif, both 17, crashed their motorcycle into a village signpost while driving home to Jimbaran. Tragically, both died as a result of the injuries sustained in the accident.
According to a report in Bali Post, the two friends had set off for Batur in convoy with a pair of friends, named as Rhydian Naufal William and Sultan Rahmathan Zaki. As planned, they had climbed to the summit of the mountain in time for sunrise at 6am. After taking a short rest at the foot of the mountain, and stopping in the village of Kintamani for refreshments, they began the journey southwards towards Jimbaran.
The accident occurred at around 9:30am as the group were making their way down Jl. Raya Payangan, somewhere between the villages of Puhu and Kerta villages. According to the source, Lianta was driving the bike with Hanif riding on the back when the motorbike swerved left and lost control, careering into a village signpost. The impact of the crash sent driver and passenger flying into a nearby ditch.
The victims’ two friends immediately called for help, and soon a passing commuter, driving a Suzuki pickup truck, ferried the victims to the nearest clinic in Puhu village, where Lianta was declared dead. Hanif, in a critical condition, was rushed to the Emergency Room at Payangan Health Center, but sadly she could not be saved.
Commenting to Bali Post, Head of the Gianyar Regional Police, Commissioner Gusti Udayani Addi explained, “We are still involved in crime scene investigations and witness examinations, but we believe the accident was caused by a loss of control on the part of the driver.”
The students’ bodies have been sent back to their families in Badung.
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