SCTEX crash: 3 dead, 23 injured

CONCEPCION, Tarlac – At least three persons were confirmed dead while 23 others were injured when a passenger bus was engulfed in flames after rear-ending a truck carrying flammable acetylene and LPG cylinder along the Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) in Concepcion, Tarlac Tuesday evening.

The three casualties, two women and male,whose remains were charred beyond recognition, remain unidentified.

A report from the Central Luzon Police Regional Office (PRO-3) said that a Five Star Bus (UYD 493) driven by Rolando Untalan, 50, of Calasiao, Pangasinan figured in the mishap along with the truck (RHD 831) driven by Emmanuel Retardo, 46.

Concepcion police chief Supt. Augusto Pasamonte said that based on initial investigation, the speeding passenger bus was tailing the truck on the north-bound lane of SCTEx.

The bus later rammed the rear of the truck before midnight.

The impact of the collision sent the two vehicles plunging into a roadside embankment.

According to witnesses, however, the bus was trying to overtake the truck mo- ments before the fatal crash.

The bus caught fire after the collision and trapped the three casualties, while the 23 others, managed to escape the raging flames despite sustaining burn injuries.

Marvin de Leon, one of the helpers aboard the truck, told the Manila Bulletin at the crash site that the mishap took them by surprise.

“Nalilito pa po ako hanggang ngayon (I am still confused and in shock),” he said.

Retardo and another helper, Victor Ayen were brought to Dr. Eutiquio Atanacio Memorial Hospital Inc., in Concepcion along with bus passengers Tammy Tagana, 24; Arnulfo Quinto, 59; Alfie Fernandez, 29; Carolyn Fernandez, 24; Rose Ann Agbanlog, 26; Criselda Joy Pascua, 25; Richard Sabiron, 29; Beth Carbonel, 25 and Felisa Bagon, 24.

Meanwhile, Untalan was rushed to Concepcion District Hospital along with passengers Veronico Policarpio, 48; Dionisio Tibonsay, 33 and his 12-year-old male companion, Shaian Amor Sotto, 34; Sharah Jane Esteban, 41; Mylene Martinez, 41; Jerome Ian Lee Balagtas, 19; Meriam Reyes, 25; and a 17-year-old girl who is five months pregnant.

The other two bus passengers, Manny Agravante, 36 and Jhomar Samson, 24, were brought to Tarlac Provincial Hospital.

Further investigation on the cause of the mishap is ongoing.