Ship's crane collapses: 1 dead, 1 hurt

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — The crane of the M/V Christian V of Avega Bros. Shipping Lines, docked at the city port yesterday afternoon collapsed and fell on two truck men of a hardware company, during the unloading of cargoes.

Police identified the fatality as Florimar Entienza Mesa, 25, a native of Bayawan City in Negros Oriental, and his injured co-worker as Epejon Talatayud, 23, of Pilar town in Bohol. The two, who worked for People's Lumber Corp and Herbert Malmis Hardware, have been residing at a warehouse in Barangay Taloto, this city.

Crane operator, 35-year-old Jeric Perges Agan, of Bacungan in Zamboanga del Norte, gave himself up to the authorities. He may face charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, physical injury and damage to property, said the police.

The police report said the ship was unloading bags of cement to the ten-wheeler truck of the hardware firm, and the operator was lowering the boom of crane number two when it accidentally broke down and fell into the truck, hitting the two workers.

The police are now investigating into the incident.— Ric V. Obedencio (FREEMAN)