2 dead, 26 wounded in Occ Mindoro bus crash

MANILA - Two persons were killed while 26 others were wounded when a bus carrying students fell into a 10-feet deep canal in Sitio Bunga, Barangay Nicolas, Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro on Saturday evening.

Occidental Mindoro Provincial Director Senior Superintendent Romie Estepa said based on initial investigation the driver of the Charm travel and tour bus with plate number RNJ-324, which was carrying 44 passengers who were student athletes and staff of the Rizal University System in Morong, Rizal, lost control of the vehicle when it lost its break and fell into the canal.

He said the passengers were on their way to attend the Southern Tagalog Regional Association State Colleges and Universities Olympics in San Jose town.

“Meron kasing kalsada dito na from Oriental going to Occidental matarik ang gradient nun may mga paliko pa at matarik hindi normal na tarik kaya kapag hindi mo kabisado mahirap. Habang pababa yung bus ang unahan niya lulan din mga estudyante, magkakasama sila nawalan siya ng preno at imbes na banggain nya ‘yung coaster van niliko niya kaya siya nahulog (There's a road from Oriental to Occidental that's steep and if you're not familiar with the place, it would be difficult. While the bus was driving downwards, its front was occupied by students, they lost its brake and instead of hitting a coaster van, the driver eluded the bus then fell into the canal),” he said.

“Ongoing kasi ‘yung construction dun sa area na ‘yun inaayos ‘yung canal (There's an ongoing construction of a canal in the area of the accident),” he added.Sunstar Philippines