Seven-year-old crash survivor still recovering

Mustaqim Adamrah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A 7-year-old survivor of a car crash that claimed her parents lives over the Idul Fitri holiday is still recovering.

A doctor at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in Central Jakarta said Thursday doctors and relatives of Rasya had decided not to tell her about the death of her parents in the accident.

"She's still traumatized," the doctor treating Rasya in the intensive care unit, Rismala Dewi, said.

"But Rasya seems to have acknowledged her parents' death already ... she has said many times, crying, 'Aunty, my mom has gone,' to her aunt," Rismala said.

The hospital has provided Rasya with psychological care to help her recover from the trauma, she said.

Rasya lost her parents -- Isran, 38, and Santi, 35 -- after a car accident that also took the life of the family's maid, 25-year-old Yani, last Sunday evening on the Jakarta-Merak tollway.

When the axle on a speeding Sri Kerta Bumi bus heading toward Merak broke, the bus crashed into two oncoming vehicles.

Twelve people died in the accident, including Rasya's parents, while 19 others were injured.

Rasya, who was initially taken to Serang hospital, was admitted to Cipto Mangunkusumo the following day.

The girls father Isran was a medical school graduate from Andalas University in Padang, West Sumatra, and a resident at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital's post-graduate program.

Rismala said Rasya -- who suffered two broken legs in the accident -- had an operation Monday evening to insert steel rods into her legs.

"Rasya is well and getting better. She has been conscious since she was admitted to the hospital," the doctor said. "She knows where her school is and recognizes her closest aunt."

"Apart from her broken bones and several bruises, her physical condition is fine."

Hospital spokeswoman Erna Zain said the only family member who has been with Rasya is her closest aunt, Titi.

"Rasya always holds her aunt's hand, even when she is asleep ... Her aunt can hardly get away to go to the toilet," she said.

Erna said Rasya would be moved to a regular room as soon as one became available.

Rasya and her extended family declined to talk to the press.

Custody of Rasya, an only child, remains unclear.