10 dead in Isabela road mishap

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya , Philippines  – Ten people were killed while 21 others were seriously injured yesterday morning when a passenger bus fell into an 80-foot ravine after colliding with two other vehicles on a bridge in Cauayan City in Isabela.

Cagayan Valley police director Chief Superintendent Roberto Damian said among the fatalities were eight passengers, including a nine-month-old baby, of the Dagupan Bus that came from Cubao, Quezon City, on its way to Tuao, Cagayan.

Police identified some of the fatalities as Freddie Agustin, Carlito Bautista, Rey Casagan, Thelma Lozano, Roberto Bulisay, and nine-month-old Wilson Blanche.

Among the injured victims were Nestor Galapon, Grace Gurpo and Maurice Gurpo, of Tanay, Rizal; Estrella Cabaldo, Maxima Cabaldo, Analyn Guddao, Marcelina de Guzman and Estrella Ignacio, all from Isabela; and Cagayan residents Wilson Blanche Sr., Marlon Sinampan, Maria Pelobeleo, Rogelio Gumahan, Susan Castro, Sarina Dayrit and Elena Bariwad.   

“Six of the cadavers are now at the Funeraria Carbonel in Cauayan,” said Damian.

Police said most of the passengers of the bus with body No. 168 were on their way home to Tuao, Cagayan to commemorate All Saints’ Day on Sunday.

Damian said the bus was cruising along the national highway and when the vehicle reached the bridge it collided with a Toyota Hi-lux and a southbound Isuzu Dmax pick-up before falling off the bridge in Barangay Tagaran.

The ill-fated bus left the Cubao terminal at around 6 p.m. last Tuesday and was expected to arrive at its stopover in Tuguegarao before 6 p.m. yesterday before proceeding to its final destination in Tuao.

“The bus swerved before hitting the (two pick-up trucks). The bus then fell off (the bridge) and rested on its side,” Damian said.

He said 14 of the bus passengers were rushed to the Cauayan District Hospital while another eight were brought to Garcia’s General Hospital.

“We are still investigating the actual details of the accident,” said Damian.

Superintendent Danilo Asirit, Cauayan police chief, said the Dagupan bus rammed a Toyota Hi-lux owned by Universal Leaf-Philippines and then hit the Isuzu Dmax pick-up.

He said rescuers used acetylene torches to cut through the twisted metal and free the passengers who were trapped in the wreckage of the bus. –With Cecille Suerte Felipe