3 killed as bus falls off bridge in Leyte

Passengers try to get out from the ill-fated Philtranco Bus Line that fell off a bridge in Tanauan, Leyte on Tuesday night (May 22, 2018). (Photo courtesy)

TACLOBAN CITY – Three passengers, among them two minors, were killed while several others were hurt when a bus they were riding in fell off a bridge in Tanauan town, Leyte.

SPO3 Restituto Faron, officer-on-case of the Tanauan police station, identified the fatalities as Queenly Galagnara 3; Wendell Simbajon, 15; and Brian Noterte, 30.

They were among the 52 passengers on board a Philtranco Bus Line (plate number ACA 9771), which fell off Solano Bridge in Barangay Buntay, Tanauan about 11:45 p.m. Tuesday.

Galagnara was with her grandparents, Pepito and Marites Galagnara from San Jose Dinagat, when the incident happened. Simbajon was with his father, Willy, allegedly the assistant bus driver and resident of Davao City.

Other passengers sustained injuries and were brought to different hospitals at the nearby town of Palo and in this city.

“Many of the passengers are now at an evacuation center in Barangay Canramos as ordered by Mayor (Pelagio) Tecson in the meantime because they are recovering from the injuries sustained due to the incident,” Faron said.

He said the passenger bus was from Pasay City and bound for Tandag City, Surigao del Sur. The bus driver was identified as Edgardo Legaspi.

Based on the initial police investigation, Legaspi claimed that a passenger, whom he identified as Wendell Simbajon, tried to grab the steering wheel from him, causing him to lose control of the vehicle, which consequently swerved and fell off the bridge.

“But I doubt it. Most probably, Wendell could have awaken from his sleep and fell straight to the driver. He (Simbajon) was sitting at the back of the driver,” Faron said.

The town’s rescue group and local police took the crash survivors to safety.

Faron said Legaspi was detained at the police station pending the filing of cases against him. Faron said the driver could face charges of reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicide, and multiple physical injuries and damage to property.            /kga