16 hurt as bus crashes into an electric post in Benguet

Originally posted @ 9:16 a.m., May 2, 2019.

Updated @ 12 p.m., May 2, 2019, to clarify the number of injured and add the names of the victims.

MANILA, Philippines — Sixteen people, including two minors, were hurt when the bus they were on slammed into an electrical post in Atok, Benguet, on Wednesday.

Col. Lyndon Mencio, director of Benguet Provincial Police Office, reported that Regan Ginoban, driver of a Rising Sun bus (WZO-528), lost control of the vehicle and caused it to crash into a post in Barangay Caliking at about 5 p.m.

Of the 16 injured passengers, 11 were undergoing medical treatment at the Benguet General Hospital while five passengers were sent home after receiving first aid.

Mencio identified the victims as Rona Serafica Fernandez, 23; Jun Belmonte Habiling Ogayon, 50; Julia Dulnuan Ogayon, 50; Sylvia Sabaday Padsing, 60; Purita Jocsi Serafica, 53; Emilia Senong Olosan, 61; Maria Paspas Sapawel, 81; Susana Kiat-ong Bandas, 95; Rosemarie Dizon Bragado, 56; Bernadette Ripa Dela Cruz, 35; Crislen Soliken Dumanas, 25; Dave Jocsi Serafica, 25, Maverick Wakit Bantegan, 24, and Nancy To-oc Fagsao, 41.

An 8-month-old boy and an 8-year-old girl were also hurt.

Twenty-four other passengers were in stable condition, Mencio said.

Meanwhile, Ginoban was brought to Atok Municipal Police Station for further investigation.

The Philippine National Police recorded 16 major vehicular accidents nationwide from April 5 to May 2, 2019. A total of 151 people were reported hurt in the incidents. /cbb