LUCENA CITY, Quezon, Philippines – Five passengers died and 33 others were injured in a road accident in Pagbilao town in Quezon province Saturday afternoon, police said.
Col. Audie Madrideo, Quezon police chief, said a Mitsubishi delivery truck being driven by Sander Soliveres accidentally collided with an incoming CUL passenger Bicol-bound bus in a section of new diversion road in Barangay Silangang Malicboy around 4:30 p.m.
Five passengers of the bus reportedly died in the collision.
Madrideo said 33 others sustained injuries, including bus driver Reynaldo Samilo.
Police report did not identify the fatalities and the injured.
Maj. Eric Villarete, Pagbilao police chief, said the injured were taken to various hospitals in Pagbilao and Lucena City.
“We have yet to provide the complete condition of the victims. My investigators are all over the place, at the accident site and hospitals,” Villarete told the Inquirer over the phone.
“We’re waiting for the doctors’ information. But most of them only sustained minor injuries,” he added.
Citing initial investigation, Villarete said the driver of the Manila-bound truck reportedly lost control of the vehicle due to faulty brakes.
The van occupied the opposite lane and hit the left side of the bus.
He said the fatalities were two males and two females. The fifth one was a minor.
/atm