Judge swept away by volcanic mudflow

Judge swept away by volcanic mudflow

MANILA (AFP): Police yesterday retrieved the body of a trial court judge who was swept away by volcanic mudflow from Pinatubo volcano north of Manila while waiting to cross a bridge, a senior police official said.

Chief Superintendent Diony Ventura said the body of Judge Antonio David was identified by relatives after it was plucked by rescue workers from the river a day after rampaging mudflows carried him away in Porac town.

David's wife and 10 other people, including five policemen, were also caught up in the mudflows Saturday but were rescued by troops and an air force helicopter.

Ventura said in a radio interview that a portion of the riverbank suddenly collapsed, throwing the 12 people standing there into the volcanic mudflow.

The judge had undergone medical treatment in Manila and was waiting to cross a bridge to his town of Floridablanca, Ventura said.