Bus rams parked vehicle; 6 hurt

CEBU, Philippines - Six persons were injured when the Ceres bus they were riding rammed another vehicle parked along the national highway in BarangayTinaan, Naga at 5:40 in the morning yesterday.

Among those injured was bus driver Arnold Andrade, who sustained severe injuries in different parts of his body and was rushed to South General Hospital.

Police believe Andrade fell asleep while driving causing his bus, bearing plate numbers RJC 850, to hit an Isuzu elf with plate numbers GBW 224 that was parked along the road.

The five other victims were all bus passengers. They were Marival Bajo, 40, of Barangay Poblacion, Argao; Rosalina Torre, 30, of Sibonga; Ernenio Bribron, 23, of Alcantara; Rex Forrosuelo, 24, of Lorega-San Miguel, Cebu City and Caralo Amacleo, 25, of Martires, Cebu City. They sustained minor injuries and were brought to South General Hospital for treatment.

The Ceres bus was reportedly traveling towards Cebu City from Bato, Oslob when it hit the Isuzu Elf. At the time of the accident, the driver of the smaller vehicle, Rodrigo Pulgo, 52, of Barangay Poblacion East, Moalboal, was allegedly at a vulcanizing shop fixing his deflated tire.

PO3 Bernard Otida said Andrade was driving in the area when his bus suddenly swerved right miscalculating the distance from the Isuzu Elf. The bus then hit the back portion of the Elf and dragged it towards the fence of a house nearby.

“Sayo na sila mugikan unya duka nang kadlawon basin nakatagpilaw lang unya naalanganin magmata,” Otida added.

The bus is now in the custody of the police, who are now eyeing possible charges to be filed against the bus driver.  (FREEMAN)