Van falls off San Juanico Bridge; 2 dead

TACLOBAN CITY — A passenger van fell off the San Juanico Bridge past noon yesterday, killing the driver and one of the passengers, authorities said.

The accident occurred along the portion of the bridge which was damaged when a barge rammed into a pier or concrete foundation last Sept. 22.

Nilo Jumagdao, an operations engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways, identified the fatalities as Pablo Mabini and a certain Bating, the driver of the 12-seater JIDCA passenger van which was traveling from Borongan, Eastern Samar to this city.

The three other passengers, identified as Imee Raagas, Myra Garcia and Leo Oreta, suffered minor injuries.

Oreta recounted that the driver failed to control the vehicle as it suddenly slid toward the side of the bridge.

Jumagdao said there were ample warning signs in that portion of the San Juanico Bridge.

In 1999, a military truck also fell off along the same stretch, killing two soldiers.