Quezon, Nueva Ecija mishaps leave 6 dead, 18 hurt

MANILA, Philippines - Six people were killed and 18 others sustained injuries when a passenger bus fell off a cliff in Pagbilao, Quezon and three motorcycles rammed into an ambulance in Nueva Ecija last Tuesday, authorities said.  

Three of the fatalities died while sixteen others were injured when the Twin Hearts bus they were riding fell into a deep ravine along the new zigzag road in Barangay Silangang Malicboy, Pagbilao, Quezon last Tuesday afternoon.

Chief Inspector Francis Pasno, Pagbilao police chief, identified the three fatalities as bus driver Nestor Basco, and passengers Leonor Marbella and Miguel Galan.

The bus was on its way to Manila from the Bicol region when it met the tragedy.

Police said the bus driver lost control of the steering wheel, sending the bus to the road’s edge and plunging into the 50-foot ravine.

Meanwhile, three people died and two others were seriously injured when the motorcycles they were riding rammed into an ambulance along Maharlika Highway in Barangay Castellano, San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija last Tuesday night. 

Reports identified the fatalities as Ramir Miranda, Eftardo Sarmiento, and Genaro Martin, and the injured as John Paul Pangilinan and ambulance driver Roger Abuan.

Police said the victims were on board three motorcycles headed south. They overtook a vehicle ahead of them and slammed into the northbound ambulance.                        – With Ed Amoroso