2 dead, 6 hurt as jeepney falls off bridge

MANILA, Philippines - Two persons were killed and six more were injured after a passenger jeepney fell off a bridge yesterday near the boundary of Caloocan City North and San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan.

Senior Police Officer 2 Manuel Macadangdang of the Caloocan Traffic Enforcement Unit identified the fatalities as Arnel Trinidad, driver of the ill-fated jeepney; and Jason Yumul, 21, one of the passengers.

The six other passengers who were injured in the incident were taken to the Jose Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in Tala.

Macadangdang said the jeepney fell at around 8 p.m. as it was cruising along Quirino Highway in Malaria, Caloocan City from San Jose del Monte.

Investigators said it was not clear whether the accident was caused by faulty brakes or a busted tire, or whether the driver fell asleep or was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.           – Jerry Botial