4 killed in separate bus accidents

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – Two people died while 32 others including several children, were injured after the bus they were riding plunged into a 10-meter deep ravine in Quirino’s remote mountain town before midnight yesterday. 

The fatalities were identified as Evangeline Salac, 53, and Jesus Lianian, both of Quezon town in Isabela. Lianian reportedly died on the spot after the bus of the Northern Bus Lines fell into the ravine along the national highway in Barangay Sangbay, Nagtipu­nan town.

Senior Inspector Andree Camhol, Quirino police information officer, said the ill-fated bus, one of the few buses plying the rugged Isabela-Aurora via Quirino route, was on its way to Santiago City when it met the accident due to mechanical problem.

“The bus engine’s propeller got detached while negotiating near a bridge, causing the bus to swerve and hit a road gutter until it eventually fell into the ravine,” he said.

The incident also resulted in injuries to 21 of the bus’ passengers, among them Jessa Esteban, 8; Jessie Chavez, 8; Zaira Jane Hoggang, 10; Jayson Agsipu, 11; Jessica Agsipu, 13; Rovelyn Salas, 15; Devine Grace de la Peña, 23; and Vilma Chavez, 63, all natives of Isabela, Aurora, Cagayan and Ifugao.

The injured passengers are now recuperating at the Maddela District Hospital where they were rushed after the incident.

The driver, identified as Roberto Baga and his conductor, Ronald Dionicio, are still at large. Both are now facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide and multiple physical injuries, according to Camhol.

Another two persons died on a separate accident after a Nelbusco Bus Line plunged from a bridge in the remote Barangay Sangbay town in Nagtipunan, Quirino Sunday evening.

The fatalities were identified as Evelyn Salas, 15, of Turod, Quezon, Isabela, and Jesus Cabaldo, 20, of Palanan, also in Isabela.  – With Raymund Catindig