4 killed in Negros head-on bus collision

PHOTO by Melanie Demegillo

BACOLOD CITY – Four persons were killed and 28 were hurt when two buses collided head on along Highway Monumento, Barangay (village) Sto. Niño, Enrique B. Magalona town, Negros Occidental, Wednesday morning.

Senior Inspector Conrado Rances, Eb Magalona police chief, said some passengers got pinned when the buses fell on their side, while others were thrown out of the vehicles and landed in a nearby drainage canal and a field.

According to the police, Ceres Liner bus 5126 was headed northeast to the City of Escalante when it collided with Ceres Liner bus 5160 driving south to Bacolod City.

Initial investigation showed that bus 5126 tried to overtake another vehicle but failed to return to its lane, resulting in the collision.

Rances said the accident happened along a straight section of the six-lane highway, where vehicles usually ran at high speed.

Jesideth Seballos, media and legal affairs head of Ceres Liner operator Vallacar Transit, said the bus company was assisting those hurt and the families of the fatalities.