5 dead, 35 hurt in Palawan road accident

BUS CRASH. (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / RICHARD REYES)

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay — At least five people, two of them children, died while 35 others were hurt when the bus they were riding in fell into a creek in Taytay town in Palawan province on Monday, reports from the Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) regional police office said.

Supt. Imelda Tolentino, Mimaropa police information officer, said the bus, which was bound for Puerto Princesa City, was negotiating the Nautical Highway in Sitio Calabucay in Barangay (village) Bato at 8 a.m. when its driver lost control of the vehicle as it reached a sharp curve.

Tolentino said the bus fell into a creek, its roof landing first.

Killed were Donato Edenden; Janet Apolinario, 5; Aira Apolinario, 4; Romeo Dedama Sr., 40; and Christina Arguiles Abejo, 70.

Those injured were taken to the Northern Palawan provincial hospital in Taytay and to hospitals in Puerto Princesa.

The driver, Roque Arcede, 32, surrendered to the Taytay police.  SFM/rga