TAGKAWAYAN, Quezon – Four occupants of an ambulance were killed, while three of their companions were hurt, when the emergency vehicle they were riding in collided with a van and a truck along Quirino Highway here Wednesday morning.
All the victims were from Barangay Bulacao in Gubat, Sorsogon.
Police identified those who perished in the accident as Melchor Escandor, 45, driver of the ambulance; and his passengers Jocelyn Espadero, Silvestre Camposano, and Aljon Gime.
Injured were Nigel Gime, 8, Lanie Escandor, 43, and Rose Ann Pineda, 30.
According to a police report, the ambulance was heading north towards Manila at around 9:30 a.m. when a 10-wheeler truck, which was traveling in the opposite direction and being driven by Gerardo Bandales, suddenly cut into its lane.
This apparently forced Melchor Escandor to steer the ambulance away from the oncoming truck. As such, the ambulance hit a van that was parked by the roadside.
Three of the victims were declared dead on-arrival at the hospital, while a fourth victim died while receiving treatment.