Mindoro-bound bus crashes, injures 28

A wayward Mindoro-bound bus ditched into a concrete canal of the STAR Toll Way in Batangas on Friday leaving 28 of its passengers injured, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Saturday.

Involved in the highway mishap that occurred within the vicinity of Barangay Lapu-Lapo 2nd, San Jose town at about 10:30 a.m., was a Dimple passenger bus with license plate TYU-464 and driven by Narciso Vallespin, 42, of Barangay Magdaong, Muntinlupa City.

NDRRMC reports said the brake of the bus, while enroute to Batangas port from Manila, malfunctioned along KM90+600 of the STAR Tollway.

To avoid causing multiple collision with other cars, the Vallespin steered towards the right side of the highway, landing his vehicle in the process, on a concrete canal.

“As a result, 28 passengers sustained injuries and were brought to Mary Mediatrix Medical Center in Lipa City by emergency responders,” NDRRMC Executive Officer Benito Ramos said.

In Baguio City, four children were also injured when their Mitsubishi service van with license plate AHC-530 also lost its brake and hit a street post along the city’s Ferguson Road. 

Brought to the Pines Doctor Hospital were Naya Nicole Mario, 11; Ryan Mario, 6; Anne Mario, 12 and Rosas Joy Cachero, 6. The driver of the service van, Enrique De Asses, was unhurt in the accident.