Camarines road mishap: 13 dead

NAGA CITY – At least 13 persons died and around 30 others were injured when two buses collided head on at about 2:40 a.m. yesterday at the portion of Daang Maharlika in Barangay San Ramon, Pamplona, Camarines Sur, traffic and police officials here said.

Police Officer 2 Jack Hacotina of the Highway Patrol Group said five fatalities on board the Manila-bound Silver Star bus (TYK-273) were identified as Eric Mejillo, believed to be the driver, Ricardo Basaan, Bernardo Caruebo, Godofredo Garcia, and Jenny Cartes, mostly residents of Leyte and Tacloban.

The officer failed to identify the other fatalities.

Hacotina confirmed that three other victims were also found inside the Legazpi-bound Executive Carrier bus (PWD-356) immediately after the collision.

Five of the more than 30 injured were later declared dead while being treated at the Bicol Medical Center (BMC).

The driver of the Executive Carrier bus, who was identified as Melvin Bayogos, a resident of San Juan, Metro Manila, also died while being treated at BMC.

Initial police investigation showed that the Silver Star bus swerved into the lane of the on-coming Legazpi-bound bus and smashed into it.

Some of those injured and being treated at the BMC included Danilo Goloy, Meriam Bartola, Emily Salvador, Michael Salvador, Joel Mallorca, Marilyn Tolentino, Mark Ante, Edmundo Tolentino, Elvin Bapat, Gloria Antipado, Norceña Mejador, Art Tiocson, Josephine Ceron, Jessie Bernapol, Elizabeth Evangelio, Cristina Ramos, Dennis Sarcoda, Juanito Metilla, Rolando Llansada, Teofelon Llatera, Elenita Ramos, Rodelyn Fernandez, one surnamed Vicencio, and two named Arsenio and Elvira. Most of the injured were residents of Leyte, Calbayog, Tacloban, Bicol and Metro Manila.

Investigators had already contacted the owners of the two buses to assist the victims. – Celso Amo, AP