3 dead, 18 hurt as jeepney falls off cliff in Sorsogon

LEGAZPI CITY – Three persons died while eighteen others were injured after the jeepney they were in fell off a cliff in Matnog town in Sorsogon province on Tuesday, police said Wednesday.

The fatalities Josefa Hilao, 78, Judy Hilao, 60, both of Barangay (village) Tabunan in Matnog, and Bernalet Alcantara, 32, resident of Tabaco City in Albay died when the jeepney plunged 30 meters in Sitio (subvillage) Colonia, Barangay Hidhid, at about 4:30 p.m., Senior Inspector Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson, said.

The 18 injured passengers were brought to the Matnog Medicare and Community Hospital, Sorsogon Provincial Hospital and Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital in Legazpi City for medical treatment.

Calubaquib said the passenger jeepney was being driven by Joey Garalde.

She said Geralde was driving too fast while negotiating a sharp curve when he lost control of the steering wheel. The vehicle hit the railings on the left side of the road and fell off the cliff. CBB