3 dead, 4 injured as bus falls off hill in Zamboanga Sibugay

Three persons died and four others were injured when a Lizamay Express bus fell into a ditch Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, while heading to Zamboanga City from Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay. (Photo courtesy of Police Regional Office-9 Public Information Office via Philippine News Agency)

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines — Three people died and four others were injured as a bus fell off a hill in Alicia town in Zamboanga Sibugay Saturday morning, Sept. 6.

Capt. Abdullah Jamiri, chief of the Alicia Municipal Police Station, said that the Lizamay Express bus, driven by Moriel Andico, with 45 passengers, was traveling from Olutanga town to Zamboanga City when its engine conked out while negotiating a hilly portion of the national highway.

Andico then lost control of the vehicle, sending it off the road towards the hillside, running over crops.

By the time the bus stopped, three passengers had died of severe injuries while four others suffered bruises.

Photo courtesy of Alicia Municipal Police Station.

Those who died were Gertrudes Buhat Baya, 73, of Barangay Samonte, Talusan town; Rina Ahay Mualam, 14, and Salma Mualam, 35, both residents of Barangay Buhangin Mahaba, Olutanga town.

The injured passengers were Victor Antiampo and Medivina Antiampo, both residents of Barangay Fama, Olutanga; and Karim Jarol and Sapiya Jarol of Barangay Buhangin Mahaba, Olutanga.

They were taken to the Lanchita Medical Hospital in nearby Imelda town for treatment.

The bus driver was taken into custody by the Alicia police.

/atm