Couple dies in road mishap

ILOILO CITY, Philippines  — A couple was killed and three others were injured when the ambulance they were riding collided with a sport utility vehicle in this city yesterday.

Ramon Sampani and his wife, Rosalyn, both 54, were declared dead on arrival at the West Visayas State University Medical Center in Jaro and Western Visayas Medical Center in Mandurriao, respectively.

Ambulance driver Efrain de Guzman, 39; Gilbert Ray Saclauso, 37, the driver of the Isuzu Trailblazer, and Eddie Vera, 51, were confined in various hospitals.

The fatalities were on their way to a medical center for Sampani’s dialysis when the accident occurred.

Police Officer 3 Carl Pitalco, traffic police investigator, said the SUV hit the ambulance while overtaking a pickup along a circumferential road.

Saclauso was  reportedly drunk when the accident occurred.