2 buses fall off bridge; 4 dead, 48 hurt

TERNATE, Cavite — Four excursionists were killed and 48 others were wounded when the two mini-buses they were riding in fell off a bridge here Saturday afternoon.

Three of the fatalities were identified as Jay Victoria, Rommel Montino and Castulo Yobia. The fourth victim was a 14-year-old boy.

Authorities said the Manila-bound excursionists had come from Barangay Sapang here when their buses, trailing a 14-vehicle convoy, fell off the Pinagpatayan bridge.

Members of Rescue 161 immediately responded to the scene of the accident and assisted the survivors.

Randal Ronjal, leader of the rescue team, said in a report that Amante Valenzuela, who was driving one of the ill-fated buses, lost control of the wheel, sending the vehicle plunging 30 feet off the bridge.

The second mini-bus, driven by one Manuel Ignacio, also suffered the same fate. — Cristina Go-Timbang