HS senior killed, 20 hurt as bus plunges into ravine

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – A 17-year-old high school student was killed while 20 others suffered injuries after their bus plunged into a ravine in Bauko, Mt. Province yesterday. 

Reports identified the fatality as Daphne Kepepe Bentadan, a high school senior in Tadian town, who died on the spot due to multiple injuries. 

As of 3 p.m. yesterday, 10 of the injured passengers, aged 13 to 43, were still undergoing treatment at the Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital in Mt. Province.

The driver, Jovencio Candiag, is now in police custody. The bus reportedly lost its brakes while negotiating the mountain highway in Sitio Cautit, Barangay Guinzadan Central, sending it plunging into the 32-meter ravine.