Seven hurt as bus turns turtle

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

Seven persons were injured after a bus turned turtle morning of Thursday in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo City.

Police identified the victims as Richard Asupra, 47, of Barangay Cubay, San Dionisio, Iloilo;  Helen Grace Jovito, 65, and Rodolfo Bagaforo, 32, both residents of Barangay Luca, Ajuy, Iloilo; Rona Patricia, 46, and Christopher Delamide, 45, both residents of Pilar, Capiz; and George Guillen, 44, of Barangay Barasbas, Carles, Iloilo.

Also hurt was the driver, Pancho Asuelo, 65, of Barangay Devera, Sara, Iloilo.

The incident happened as the Teling Bus unit was passing through Sitio Baclayan, Barangay San Juan, Barotac Viejo.

Asuelo pointed to the loss of brakes as the cause of the mishap.

The bus, which was carrying 10 passengers, came from Balasan town and was on its way to Iloilo City when the incident happened.

While maneuvering near the DPWH office, Asuelo noticed that his brakes were not working. He immediately alerted the bus conductor about it.

Asuelo shifted to low gear but he still could not control the bus.

The bus swerved to the opposite lane, rammed into an electric utility post, and turned turtle four times.

Luckily, it did not plunge into a cliff after hitting a mahogany tree.

The driver and his passengers were rushed to Gov. Niel C. Tupas Sr. Medical Hospital in Barotac Viejo Iloilo for treatment.

Bagaforo, who suffered an eye injury, was transferred to a hospital in Roxas City.

The investigation is ongoing to determine culpability, if there’s any, on the side of the bus management or the driver.