1 dead, 5 hurt in taxi-train collision in Manila

What would have been a joyous occasion turned into tragedy, as a 17-year-old girl was killed and five people were injured after a train in Manila's Pandacan district rammed the taxi they were riding early Tuesday. Radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported the children were on their way to a hospital for a checkup required for their adoption visas when the accident occurred. DzBB's report identified the fatality as Gemma Reyes, 17.

It said the children were from the White Cross Children's Homes in San Juan City were on their way to the St. Luke's Medical Center for the checkup. Sheila May dela Cruz, one of those hurt in the accident, said taxi driver Deogracias Fajardo, 60, insisted on crossing the railroad tracks despite an oncoming train. Dela Cruz said she had pleaded with Fajardo not to cross the tracks yet, but he ignored her, the report said. It added those rushed to the Ospital ng Maynila were Dela Cruz, Glory Jean Camillas, Ronalyn Lozano, 10; Rachel Lozano, 8; and Regine Lozano, 6. Senior Police Officer 2 Danilo Quiamzon of the Manila Police District Station 10 said the incident occurred between 6 and 6:30 a.m. at the corner of Laura and Carreon Streets. “As reported by local village councilors, the passengers of the taxi were injured. One of them was a child," Quiamzon said in an interview on dzBB radio. Citing sketchy initial reports from Barangay 864 councilor Manuel Santander, Quiamzon said the train was heading for Laguna when it collided with the taxi. — LBG, GMANews.TV