Catering workers die in crash

DUBAI // Five catering workers were killed yesterday when the minibus taking them to work swerved and collided with oncoming traffic on Sheikh Rashid Road. The minibus, which was carrying eight people, veered out of control and into a car, killing three Filipinas, an Indian man and their Egyptian bus driver, police said. Four other people, including the Syrian driver of the car, were injured, one critically, and taken to Rashid hospital. The accident happened near the Dubai Police Officers' Club between Al Garhoud Bridge towards Bur Dubai about 6.20am. The minibus passengers were employed by the Abu Dhabi National Hotels company and were on their way to work at the Ritaza coffee shop, in the Spectrum Building behind the Mövenpick hotel. Dr Victor Mikhael Butros, the doctor in charge of the emergency department at Rashid Hospital Trauma Centre, said the first casualties arrived about 25 minutes after the accident. "Five people were dead before they reached the hospital," he said. "Four others were injured and were immediately rushed for treatment." Richard Adriano Ingente, a Filipino who works as a waiter, underwent surgery for head injuries, but was now stable and under observation, said Dr Butros. Two other injured men - the car driver, Marwan Albir Eskif, and an Indian bus passenger, Riju Dominick - were admitted to the hospital with spinal fractures and other injuries. Another Indian man, who escaped with minor injuries, was discharged after treatment. Witnesses said they were shocked to see the minibus crash through a central barrier and emerge on the other side of the road. "It was early in the morning. I saw the van coming from the other side of the road and crashing into another car," said one man, who asked not to be identified. "Traffic was piled up all through the road. It was a terrible sight to see the bodies being removed from the van," said Krishan Singh, another witness. The Filipinas, who died of severe head injuries, were identified by consular officials in Dubai as Ethel Ellovido Nombrado, Michelle Carillo Rabago and Cecilia Arcilla Samson. Their bodies were later transferred to Dubai Police General Headquarters mortuary. The Egyptian driver was identified as Mohammed Abdul Samad, and the Indian victim as Cheril Kumar. Benito Valeriano, the Consul General at the Philippine Consulate in Dubai, confirmed the women worked as waitresses. "It's really tragic," said Mr Valeriano, who visited Rashid hospital and later met the women's employers. The consulate is co-ordinating with the Abu Dhabi National Hotels company to arrange the repatriation of their remains. * The National