Couple in ambulance die, three others hurt in accident

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — A married couple died when the ambulance they were riding collided with a sports utility vehicle (SUV) early morning yesterday at an intersection in Mandurriao district of Iloilo City.

Killed were Ramon Sampani and his wife, Rosalyn, both 54 years old and residents of Barangay 15, San  Miguel town of Iloilo. Ramon was accompanied by Rosalyn for his scheduled dialysis at the Iloilo Doctors' Hospital.

Rosalyn's brother claimed the couple took it upon themselves to have an early appointment as not to wait longer. Rosalyn, who previously worked at Saudi Arabia, even chatted with their only child and daughter —who is also working in that country — informing the latter that they would be going to Iloilo City for Ramon's dialysis.

Police Officer 3 Carl Pitalco, traffic investigator, said the SUV came from Jaro district passing the Circumferential Road on his way home when the incident happened.

As it neared the intersection, the speeding SUV reportedly overtook a pick-up truck, but collided with the ambulance that was navigating the road along Barangay Hibao-an Norte in Mandurriao.

It was already too late for both drivers to avoid the collision. The two vehicles landed about 100 meters from the scene of impact, Pitalco said.

The incident also wounded Efrain de Guzman, 39; Gilbert Ray Saclauso, 37; and Eddie Vera, 51, all of San Miguel town also.

De Guzman was the ambulance driver, Saclauso drove the Isuzu Trailblazer SUV (license plate AMA-9892), while Vera, who reportedly works at the Iloilo Doctors' Hospital, just hitched a ride with the ambulance.

Witnesses said Saclauso was reeking with liquor when the incident happened, and investigators found no skid marks at the scene, which could possibly meant that Pitalco failed to apply his brakes.

Ramon was brought to the West Visayas State University Medical Center in Jaro, Iloilo but was pronounced dead on arrival. Rosalyn was also declared dead on arrival when taken to the Western Visayas Medical Center in Mandurriao