2 killed, 13 hurt in road collision

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  — Two people died and 13 others were injured when a passenger bus collided with a ten-wheeler cargo truck along the highway of Barangay Binicuil in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental Tuesday.

Killed were truck driver Francisco Loberas, 55, and his passenger Paquito Basiao, 60, both residents of Brgy. Malingin in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, said investigator PO2 Jesus Tuazon yesterday.

The victims sustained multiple injuries and were rushed to the Lorenzo D. Zayco District Hospital, where they were declared dead on arrival.

Tuazon said it took almost an hour before rescuers were able to retrieve the victims from the wreckage of the truck.

Apart from the fatalities, 13 passengers of the Ceres bus, owned by Vallacar Transit, were also treated at the same hospital but they were immediately released as they only suffered minor injuries, Tuazon said.

Investigation showed that the bus, driven by Noel Pedrosa, 45, of Bacolod City, was heading south when it tried to overtake another vehicle but collided instead with the approaching truck.  (FREEMAN)