Investigators were trying to determine yesterday what caused a stretch limousine to burst into flames as it crossed a bridge over the San Francisco Bay, killing a new bride and four of her friends, police officers said.
Four other women suffered burns or smoke inhalation when the white Lincoln Town Car caught fire on Saturday night while travelling over the San Mateo-Hayward bridge on its way to a party in Foster City, about 25 miles south of San Francisco.
The San Francisco Chronicle newspaper reported that among the dead was new bride Neriza Fojas (31), who had been celebrating her recent marriage with eight friends, all of them in their 30s or 40s.
Four of the women died alongside Ms Fojas after they were unable to escape the burning limousine. There was no word on the condition of the four injured women.
Medical examiner Robert Foucrault said the dead women were found clustered around a partition between the passenger compartment and driver’s seat. “They were getting away from the fire and that’s why they were in the front towards the partition. You could also probably say that they were trying to get out as well.” – (Reuters)