Death toll in Isabela road accident now 9
SOPHIA M. DEDACE, GMANews.TV
10/28/2009 | 06:55 PM
The death toll from the deadly bus accident in Isabela province Wednesday morning rose to nine as police continued their probe into the incident.
Initial investigation show that a speeding Dagupan Bus Lines bus (ABV-765) bound for Tuguegarao City, Cagayan province made a swerve before ramming into an oncoming Toyota Hilux and an Isuzu D-Max along the national highway in Barangay (village) Tagaran in Cauayan City.
"May kasalanan ang bus (From our initial information, the bus driver appeared to be at fault)," Cauayan City Police chief Senior Superintendent Danilo Asirit said in an interview on dzXL radio.
The collision wrecked the Toyota Hilux, damaged an Isuzu D-Max pickup following the Hilux, and sent the Dagupan Bus falling into a deep ravine.
In a text message, Cagayan region police head Chief Superintendent Roberto Damian identified seven of the fatalities as Perlito Bautista, driver of the Toyota Hilux; Freddie Agustin, alternate driver and conductor of the bus; Thelma Luzano; Waldimer Gumiran; Raymundo Casagan; Marlo Salvador; and Wilson Blanche Jr.
Twenty-four people were hurt in the incident, which occurred 3:30 a.m.
“Personal belongings like cell phones and baggages were recovered at the scene and subsequently brought to the Cauayan police station for safekeeping and inventory," Damian said.
Fourteen of those who were wounded were rushed to the Cauayan District Hospital, while 10 were taken to the Garcias General Hospital in the city.
Damian said that a case is now being prepared against the bus driver, Rolando Agaragar, who is now being treated at the Isabela Doctors General Hospital.
The incident occurred amid authorities' claims they will keep a close eye on bus operations during the All Saints' weekend, as they expect the yearly exodus to the provinces to peak this weekend. - GMANews.TV
Initial investigation show that a speeding Dagupan Bus Lines bus (ABV-765) bound for Tuguegarao City, Cagayan province made a swerve before ramming into an oncoming Toyota Hilux and an Isuzu D-Max along the national highway in Barangay (village) Tagaran in Cauayan City.
A bus falls off a bridge after slamming into two pick-ups at the national road in Cauayan City, Isabela. Crowd-sourced image from Corazon Diokno. Click here to contribute images to GMANews.TV.
The collision wrecked the Toyota Hilux, damaged an Isuzu D-Max pickup following the Hilux, and sent the Dagupan Bus falling into a deep ravine.
In a text message, Cagayan region police head Chief Superintendent Roberto Damian identified seven of the fatalities as Perlito Bautista, driver of the Toyota Hilux; Freddie Agustin, alternate driver and conductor of the bus; Thelma Luzano; Waldimer Gumiran; Raymundo Casagan; Marlo Salvador; and Wilson Blanche Jr.
Twenty-four people were hurt in the incident, which occurred 3:30 a.m.
“Personal belongings like cell phones and baggages were recovered at the scene and subsequently brought to the Cauayan police station for safekeeping and inventory," Damian said.
Fourteen of those who were wounded were rushed to the Cauayan District Hospital, while 10 were taken to the Garcias General Hospital in the city.
Damian said that a case is now being prepared against the bus driver, Rolando Agaragar, who is now being treated at the Isabela Doctors General Hospital.
The incident occurred amid authorities' claims they will keep a close eye on bus operations during the All Saints' weekend, as they expect the yearly exodus to the provinces to peak this weekend. - GMANews.TV
