Bicol-bound bus plunges off cliff in Quezon; 2 die, 15 hurt

Atimonan town in Quezon province. WIKIPEDIA MAP

LUCENA CITY – Two people were killed and 15 others were hurt when a Philtranco Bus fell off a cliff in Atimonan, Quezon, Tuesday night.

Chief Insp. Alexis Oliver Nava, Atimonan police chief, identified the fatalities as bus driver Juan Manuel Viñas Bron III, 28, and passenger Lorenzo Saludagit Losano, 52.

A police report said the accident happened along the diversion road in Barangay Sta. Catalina at about 9:15 p.m.

The Bicol-bound bus (ABG 8689) driven by Bron III was on a descending section of the road when a 10-wheeler trailer truck (NUB 922) driven by Flacielito Agustin Abalos crashed into it from behind.

The bus driver lost control of the vehicle causing it to swerve to the left before falling into a 40-foot cliff where it turned turtle.

The trailer truck continued driving forward and hit a ten-wheeler truck (THS 946) driven by Paulino Omiping Pataytay.

Bron III and Losano died on the spot from severe head and body injuries.

Rescuers rushed the 15 wounded, 8 of them in serious condition, to the Doña Marta Hospital in Atimonan and the Quezon Medical Center in Lucena City.

Report identified the hospitalized victims as Patatay and his helper Molinilla Rogelio Veran; Abalos and helper, Joshua Nembres Hersano; Philtranco bus substitute driver, Renato Sabordo Timog and passengers Manuel De Belen Aycocho, Eric Obis Ballega, Jessica De Lima Reyes, Grezza Llamas Lunar, Elena Balladolid Villaraza, Sofia Jarque, Danilo Gregorio Jarque, Matteo Jarque, Joebert Clorado Cereno, and Susana Rivero Callos.

Police said Abalos was still unconscious in a Lucena hospital.

The remains of the fatalities were brought to the Funeraria Pagbilao in Lucena. /cbb