ZAMBOANGA CITY — An elderly man died while 24 others–including five children–were wounded when the bus they were riding fell into a ravine in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, a police official disclosed Saturday.
Chief Insp. Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office (PRO-9) information office, said the incident happened around 3:25 p.m. Friday in Barangay Balintawak, Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur.
Galvez identified the lone fatality as Rogelio Alagenio, the elderly who died instantly.
Aside from the five minors, those wounded were Evangeline Larede, 55; Junmark Ginulos, 28; Marlon Cariaga; 40; Diovin Vergara, 23; Efijenia Bidal, 55; Catherine Lagare, 26; Esterlita Padillau Duhilag, 58; Jezrael Lantaya, 22; Flora Garcenes, 42; Suzzett Mindoza;
Anna Tura, 69; Ceceil Lauron, 42; Bejon Batoy, 26; Solidad Patalinghug, 48; Helen Diaz, 50; Arlyn Montilla, 40; Edmalyn Dollente, 34; Rey Lerasan, 38, bus conductor; and Andres Bacaling, the bus driver.
The victims were rushed to various hospitals for treatment.
Galvez said the investigation showed the bus was traveling from Ozamiz City to Pagadian City when the driver lost control of the steering wheel after the bus “pulled at wedge” and fell into a ravine.
She said the Rural Transit bus was totally wrecked. (PNA)