Baguio field trip turns tragic for teacher and 6 students

A resident of Tuba town in Benguet passes by the scene of the accident Friday that shows the wreckage of the container truck and the bus ridden by students and teachers. Seven people were killed in the mishap that occurred Thursday night. PHOTO BY EV ESPIRITU/INQUIRER NORTHERN LUZON

BAGUIO City—A field trip to Baguio City turned tragic for students and teachers of Marinduque State College when the bus they were riding crashed into two other vehicles Thursday night, police said.

Chief Superintendent Benjamin Magalong, Cordillera regional police director, said the mishap along Marcos Highway left six students and one of the teachers dead.

Authorities identified those killed as Jenny Liza Lantorva, a teacher, and Diane Lauro, Mariel Mingi, Princess Ann Pastorside, Leopoldo Nana, Carlo Pintor, and Mervin Molatino, all students.

Magalong said the fatalities were among the 31 students and two teachers from Marinduque State College in Torijos who went up to Baguio City for a field trip. With them were two tour guides, two reliever drivers, and the driver.

Magalong said they were on their way back to Manila traversing the zigzag road in Tuba, Benguet, at around 10:30 p.m. Thursday when their bus (AFB 769) crashed into a container truck and then into another passenger bus bound for Baguio.

Magalong said six of the fatalities died on the spot, while the seventh was declared dead on arrival at the Baguio General Hospital (BGH).

The injured passengers were also taken to BGH, he said.

Investigators suspect faulty brakes caused the students’ bus to go wayward.–With a report from Radyo Inquirer 990AM