34 passengers hurt in bus mishap

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Thirty-four passengers suffered minor injuries after a Ceres bus liner fell on its side at Sitio Bandihan, Barangay Salong, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental past 10 a.m. yesterday.

Lieutenant Colonel Roberto Indiape Jr., city police chief, said the bus stopped in the area to allow its inspector to disembark from the bus.

However, since the area is uphill, the vehicle allegedly suddenly moved backward at the curved part of the road.

The bus driver tried to apply brakes to stop the vehicle from moving in reverse, but the vehicle reportedly encountered mechanical trouble until it fell on its side, he added.

Indiape said the bus was travelling from Kabankalan City proper to Barangay Bantayan when the accident happened.

All the passengers and the bus conductor were taken to a hospital, while the bus driver was placed under police custody.

Indiape said that some of the passengers had already been discharged from the hospital.

Meanwhile, Jade Seballos, media and legal officer of Vallacar Transit Inc. (VTI), said they will cover all medical expenses of the victims to ensure their safety.

Seballos said the bus was loaded with 37 persons, including its driver and conductor. But, nobody suffered serious injuries.

She said they will conduct their own investigation regarding the incident.