TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – Two persons, including an officer of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), died while 29 others were injured when two buses collided in Santiago, Ilocos Sur on Friday night.
Senior Fire Officer 1 Jenny Rose Cadaos, 33, of the BFP Caoayan, and vendor Reynaldo Pineda, 49, died while being treated at the Candon City Hospital and St. Martin de Porres Hospital, respectively, according to provincial police director Senior Superintendent Nestor Felix.
Both fatalities were passengers of the Partas Bus (AWC-971) driven by Joy Jobert Brioso, 39.?
Reports said one of Brioso’s bus tires burst, causing him to lose control of the wheel at around 8:30 p.m. in Barangay Bulbulala.
The bus hit a tree on the opposite side of the road, causing the Redval Bus (AWC– 969) to hit it.
Redval bus driver Sonny Galano, 39, said it was too late to avoid the Partas bus.
Galano and his passengers, which included a teacher and 17 students of the St. Joseph Institute, were taken to different hospitals in Candon for treatment, along with Senior Fire Officers 1 Benjamin Lopez, 41; Erwin Quilana, 38, and Fredelino Raquel, 59.
Brioso surrendered to responding police officers.