TAGUM CITY – Two people were killed and nine others were hurt after a passenger bus figured in an accident in Pantukan, Compostela Valley on Monday, police on Tuesday said.
The victims were passengers of a Bachelor Express bus that fell on its side along a national road in Purok (Community) Cadena,
Tagdangua village around 5 a.m., Supt. Antonio Rivera, Southern Mindanao police spokesperson, said.
Rivera identified the fatalities as Maria Petronia Amarille, 57, teacher and resident Lupon, Davao Oriental; and Ardome Andrade, 22, single, of Laak, Compostela Valley.
In a text message to the Inquirer, Rivera said the bus with body number 4328 (WPI-970) driven by Dindo Bustamante, 44, of Mati City, was travelling from Davao City to Mati.
Upon reaching a steep portion of the Tagum-Mati road, the bus swerved to the right to avoid hitting a tricycle ahead, but Bustamante apparently lost control of the vehicle, causing it to crash on its right side, said Rivera.
“The vehicle was dragged 20 meters further from the probable point of impact. Two passengers were killed instantly,” the police spokesperson said.
He said the driver and the vehicle were now in the custody of Pantukan police station.