23 people hurt as bus rams church fence, turns over in Isabela

A VD Liner bus has turned upside down and injured 23 people on July 23, 2017 in Ilagan City, Isabela.(PHOTO BY VILLAMOR VISAYA JR. / INQUIRER NORTHERN LUZON)

CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela — Twenty-three people, including the driver and a 7-year-old boy, were injured on Sunday (July 23) when a passenger bus rammed the fence of a local church along the national highway in San Juan village here.

The VD Liner bus, which was carrying 33 passengers to Santiago City from Tumauini town, crashed into the fence of the IRM Evangelical Church at 5:30 p.m. before it turned over.

The accident hurt John Derek Maggay, 7; Cardo Dela Cruz, 45; Nicolas Canceran, 55; Marilyn Macapallag, 40; Delia Canceran, 50; Marissa Bulauan, 29; Sherly Natividad, 35; Angelo Tanguilig, 29; Babilyn Laddaran, 30; Fe Cabaltica, 33; Estela Felipe, 25; Rachelle Jose, 23; Ronalyn Subia, 24; Jane Rodriguez, 26; Josephine Rodriguez, 55; Grace Cabiento, 28; Shoni Esteban, 34; Jocelyn Calamiong, 58; Marian Labbao, 29; Gilbert Marcos, 56; Emely Maramag, 33, and driver Ariel Canceran. They were all brought to the Faustino Dy Sr. Memorial Hospital. Passenger Ivy Rodriguez, 22, who was also injured, was confined at the Isabela Doctors General Hospital.

Bus driver Ariel Canceran lost control of the steering wheel when he evaded an approaching tricycle that crossed into his lane. (He is not related to the injured passengers with whom he shares a surname.)

The church head, Ariel Gomez, vowed to sue the bus driver and its owner for damages so he could repair the church fence.  SFM/rga

Residents inspect the VD Liner Bus that turned turtle in Ilagan City, Isabela, on July 23, 2017, hurting 23 people. (PHOTO BY VILLAMOR VISAYA JR. / INQUIRER NORTHERN LUZON)