Bus, truck collide on SCTEX; 4 dead, 48 hurt

ANGELES CITY  , Philippines  —    Four persons died and 48 others were injured when a tourist bus rearended a trailer truck along the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) in Barangay Santiago, Concepcion, Tarlac at about 5:10 a.m. yesterday.

Police said the fatalities, who have yet to be identified, were all bus passengers. They were declared dead on arrival at the Concepcion District Hospital.

The victims, mostly barangay officials of Naic, Cavite, were on their way to Baguio City when the accident occurred. The injured were taken to various hospitals in Concepcion, Mabalacat and Angeles City.

Investigators and rescuers remained at the scene of the accident at noon yesterday.

The office of Concepcion Mayor Dan Lacson identified the bus driver as Antonio Bulante, 43, and the truck driver as Michael Sangcajo, 37.

Initial reports received by the North Luzon Expressway-SCTEX showed that the bus driver could have either fallen asleep or miscalculated his speed. Police are reportedly considering filing charges against him.

The accident snarled traffic along the northbound lane of the SCTEX.