Bus, jeep plunge down road ravine, 31 survive

By Freddie Lazaro

BURGOS, La Union – Thirty one persons were seriously hurt in two road accidents last week along the national road in this town and nearby Naguillan when a bus and  jeep fell down ravines.  

           

Sixteen people who survived when the bus they were riding in careened off a cliff along Naguillan Road and down a ravine in Sitio Gabur, Barangay Old Poblacion here are now recuperating from injuries.

            Police said 12 of the passengers of a Baguio Bus Line, with Plate No. AVW-176 and driven by one Jimmy Oblero, of Balaoan, La Union, were injured.

            The bus they were on was enroute to San Fernando City, La Union from Baguio City when the vehicle’s brakes malfunctioned while negotiating a sharp curve on Naguilian Road around 7 p.m. on April 15.

            In the other incident, at least 14 persons were injured after a passenger jeepney they were riding in fell down a five-foot deep ravine along the road in Barangay Bato ,Naguillan town last Tuesday.

            Police said the victims were on a jeepney driven by Dodie Boy Nerona and were on their way to Barangay Delles, Burgos, La Union to attend a wedding reception.

            The driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle while overtaking two tricycles along the narrow road.

            The passengers of the jeepney sustained minor injuries and were rushed to Naguilian District Hospital for treatment.

            Police said the jeepney driver is now under police custody.