2 killed, 32 hurt after bus falls down a ravine in Quirino province

MANILA, Philippines – Two persons were killed while 32 others were hurt after the bus they were riding fell down a ravine in Nagtipunan town, Quirino province Sunday evening, police officials said Monday.

In a report from Region 2 police director Chief Superintendent Francisco Villaroman, he said that an Isabela-bound Nelbusco bus (BVN-260) rammed the concrete barriers on the side of the road before falling down a ravine in Sangbay village in Nagtipunan town at around 11:05 p.m.

Highway Patrol Group (HPG) director Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina, citing regional reports, said that the bus was carrying 40 passengers and was descending a narrow curved lane when the bus hit the side of the road and fell down the 10-meter ravine.

Espina identified the fatalities as Jesus Cabaldo, 20, and Evalyn Salas, 15; both from Isabela. He said that the injured victims were rushed to Maddela District Hospital in Maddela town, Quirino.

The bus driver Robert Bag-ay and conductor Dionidio Odu fled after the incident, the HPG director stated.

The passenger bus came from Aurora province, said Villaroman.