NAGA CITY (June 24, 2012) – “THE PHILIPPINE Railways (PNR) has no liability,” said PNR Naga central Station manager Constancio Toledano on the death of at least five persons, two of them minors, during Friday morning ( June 22) train collision with an over loaded tricycle at a railroad crossing at barangay San Isidro and San Agustin in Iriga City.
However, Toledano said the railway agency is willing to extend financial assistance to the families of the victims.
Toledano explained that the tricycle driver is deemed at fault being in the railway line during the accident.
The Iriga City Police identified the fatalities as: Kimberly Benosa Doroteo, 13; Shiela Doroteo Sapinoso, 32, a public school teacher; Richard Agollo Rosal, 15, who all died on the spot at the moment of the collision.
The driver of the tricycle, Danilo Doroteo, who was reportedly with an impaired hearing and another Kent Lester Doroteo, 12, were declared dead on arrival at a local hospital.
Eight others, mostly youngsters, who were critically hurt were identified as: Mikee Villanueva, 15; Hanny Gumboc Mael Baal, 12; Ronnil Benosa Rodilas, 13; Loren Orbon Legada, 12; Jessa Bareno, 17; Joshua Doroteo Salamanque, 14; Hanson Gumboc Baal, 15; and Angelo Zollo, 15. The victims were all residents of San Jose, Iriga City.
In the aftermath of the railroad accident, Toledano also said they have recommended to assigne permannent personnel to man railroad crossings all over the province in view of the series of accidents along the PNR rail-tracks. (SONNY SALES)