Cessna crash responders retrieve 4 bodies near Mayon crater
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Camalig Mayor Irwin Baldo, Jr. confirmed that the bodies of four passengers on board the Cessna 340A that crashed Saturday have been found near Mayon’s crater.
With this development, the incident command center ended its search and rescue (SAR) operations today.
Baldo, the incident commander, confirmed that they have shifted to a retrieval operation upon receiving information and photos confirming the bodies of passengers, including the pilot, Capt. Rufino James T. Crisostomo Jr., the mechanic Joel G. Martin, and two Australian passengers, Simon Chipperfield, and Karthi Santanan.
The team conducted a briefing with APSEMO, CAAP, EDC, TOG5, OCD, PNP, and BFP to plan out the retrieval of the bodies located 6,500 feet above sea level.
On the other hand, Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office Head Dr. Daep said they would mobilize another batch of responders this morning to back up the 28-man team that first approached the crash site yesterday to complete the mission.
Daep also confirmed that the immediate family members of the passengers, including the two Australian nationals, were informed about the status of the retrieval operations.
