Kuncoro Budiwinarto, employee of Faculty of Law UGM from Mbronggang hamlet in Argomulyo, Cangkringan sub-district, became a victim of the Merapi’s eruption on Friday. His wife and 2 of his children and one nephew also became victims. Only the first child, Ade Surya Digsinaga (21), managed to survive. Until this information is released, the remains of Kuncoro in the forensic room of Dr. Sardjito Hospital still have not been identified.
"His first son survived but suffered burns about 4 percent in his hands and on his face," said Suranto, one of Kuncoro’s relatives who were met at the hospital on Saturday (6/11).
Told by Suranto, Kuncoro died of hot clouds exposure at approximately 0:30 Friday night. At that time, Kuncoro with his family planned to flee by driving a car. But before they managed to get into the vehicle, they had been hit by hot clouds. "Ade had managed to pour water into the body of his mother and siblings who fell in front of the house. He survived because he had no time to get out of the thouse, covering his body with a mattress on the floor," said Kuncoro’s brother-in-law.
When his house had been burned, Ade called Suranto for help. Because Suranto was in the evacuation post, he immediately called the Cangkringan police station to ask for help. "Ade called me, saying his house was on fire, shouting ‘Help… Heeeelp’," said Suranto imitating him.
Ade is still treated in the emergency room. Of course, the student in his fifth semester at UNY is still traumatized and grieving, because he had lost all his relatives, his father, Kuncoro Budiwinarno, mother, Fitri, and two siblings, Risma (11) and Brian (2) and his cousin, Bagas (16).