Train vs jeepney: 6 dead, 18 injured

LEGAZPI CITY — Six jeepney passengers were killed and 18 injured when a train rammed their vehicle at a railroad crossing in Nabua town in Camarines Sur Saturday night.

Killed were Andres, 45, and Crisanta Baldoza, 30; Tiburcio, 10, and Vanessa Espalmado, 15, all of Barangay La Purisima; Michelle Mendeville, 15, of Barangay Sto. Domingo, all of Nabua town, and an unidentified passenger aged between 20 and 35.

Nabua police chief Inspector Alejo Hernandez told reporters the bodies of four of the victms were taken for autopsy to a funeral parlor in Nabua, while the two others are now in the morgue.

Thirteen of the injured were brought to the Bicol Medical Center in Naga City. They are Melvin Oxiato, Sonny, Vivian, and John Espalmado, Mark and Joseph Magistrado, Medel Competente, Edgar Brigada, and Annie Araye, all of Barangay La Purisima in Nabua; and Loreto, Jomart and Jevelo Macaraig, all of Parañaque City.

Eight others were taken to the Our Lady of Mediatrix Hospital in Nabua for treatment. They are: Marvin and Susan Cordero and Maria, Rose Anne and Judy Anne Baldoza, all of Barangay La Purisima.

Reports said the jeepney was overtaking a bus in the unlighted railroad crossing in Barangay Paloyan at 7:10 p.m. when the Metro Manila-bound train rammed and then dragged it into the nearby Maharlika Highway.

The jeepney was said to headed for Guinobatan town in Albay at the time of the accident.

Salvador Ocfemia, acting station agent of Philippine National Railways in Legazpi City, told The STAR the jeepney driver could not have spotted the approaching train because of the darkness.

"(However,) there is a a Stop-Look-Listen post at the intersection which should be observed at all times," he said.

Ocfemia said the train left the Legazpi City terminal at 3 p.m. with six passengers aboard the economy class, along with train engineer Ricardo Pascia and conductor Rolando Garcia.

Ocfemia said the train picked up passengers in different terminals along the route, starting from Guinobatan through Ligao, Polangui and Iriga City, all the way to Metro Manila.

Four accidents involving PNR trains have occurred at the railroad crossing in Barangay Paloyan since last January, he added.

Residents said commuters have been complaining to the PNR about the lack of personnel to direct traffic at the railroad crossing or to warn them of any approaching train.