Limo fire: 2 victims were surgical nurses at Fresno hospital

FRESNO -- One worked the night shift, one the day. Both friends were members of a close-knit trauma medical/surgical team at Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno.

On Monday, the hospital confirmed that Neriza Fojas and Michelle Estrera were among the five women killed in a mysterious limousine fire Saturday night on the San Mateo-Hayward bridge on the way to a bridal shower for Fojas.

“They were loved. It’s a very close team,” said hospital spokeswoman Mary Lisa Russell.

PHOTOS: Fatal limo fire

The hospital is providing three different sources of counseling all day and all night on their floor.

“If someone has a little moment where they break down, there will be a counselor there,” said Russell.

In a statement, the hospital described the two women as”exemplary nurses who dedicated their lives to helping others.”

The statement continued:

“These two outstanding nurses were loved by their patients, colleagues and staff at our hospital. Both were good friends, stellar nurses and excellent mentors who served as preceptors to new nurses. On behalf of Community Regional, we offer our condolences to family and friends. We will dearly miss these two special people who have touched our lives during their time at Community Regional.”

“This horrible accident was a tragic event for so many people and our thoughts and prayers go out to all the nurses involved in the fire and their family and friends.

The hospital will have a memorial service and also a moments of silence for co-workers to pay their respects.

ALSO:

California Supreme Court upholds medical pot bans

LAPD will investigate officers involved in USC party clash

Limo fire: Grief at Oakland nursing home where victims worked

Twitter: @dianamarcum

diana.marcum@latimes.com