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Monday, March 09, 2005
4 Bukidnon provincial employees die in mishap
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Four Bukidnon Provincial Government employees were killed when the vehicle they were riding in slammed into a bulldozer in Manolo Fortich town Monday.
The victims--Heracleo Calijat, driver of the Toyota pick-up owned by Bukidnon Capitol, Manolo Cruz, Arelia Secretaria and Elizabeth Yee--were declared dead by doctors at the Camp Philips Hospital.
They were all from Malaybalay City and all employees of the Bukidnon Provincial Capitol under Governor Jose Maria Zubiri.
Manolo Fortich Police Chief Orlando Viñas said the accident occurred at 6:30 p.m. Monday as the victims were on their way back to Malaybalay City.
He said police investigation showed that the Toyota pick-up slammed into a bulldozer owned by Del Monte Philippines Inc. and driven by Felix Combodades upon reaching Barangay Maloku in Manolo Fortich.
Combodades said he heard a loud sound upon impact but no shouts from the victims.
"It seems they all died immediately because I heard no voice coming from them," Combodades related.
The road was drenched following daylong rains prior to the accident.
Viñas said it took the rescue team a long time to take out Yee because she was stuck at the car's front seat.
The rescue team had to cut off Yee's legs to be able to pull her out of the wreckage.
Viñas said it seems the other passengers suffered serious head injuries and that they were all dead when they reached the hospital.
Combodades, the bulldozer driver, said he spotted the pick-up when it was still 25 meters away from him forcing him to give way.
Seconds later, Combodades heard a loud sound and saw the car's windshield wedged in the upper portion of the bulldozer.
"I really cried upon witnessing the accident because I've been with Del Monte for 30 years and I have never encountered this kind of situation...it was an accident because I stopped (the bulldozer)," Combodades added.
The police, based on the investigation at the scene of the accident, believe the Toyota pick-up was over-speeding when the mishap occurred.
Viñas said the accident was not a head-on type of collision since the pick-up slammed into the blade of the equipment.
The police will conduct further investigation to determine whether Combodades is criminally liable for the accident. (Jenefer Besere of Sun.Star Superbalita)
| Post your experiences to the Sun.Star Graduation section. Click here. | 2005-02-24 04:52:02
mcalvo - My graduation was unforgettable to me and to my classmates. I was so drunk the night before graduation. During the ceremony i dozed to the point of snooring even when i was already standing i was half sleeping. Our dean has to call my name twice and the person behind me has to push me just to wake me up... graduations are memorable...enjoy and congratulations to all graduates!
Read more experiences |
(March 9, 2005 issue)
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