3 dead, 14 hurt as bus falls off canal in Ilocos

By Teddy Molina

BURGOS, Ilocos Norte  -- Three persons died while 14 others were injured when a passenger bus fell into a canal here dawn of May 11.

Hilda Acobo, Jing Bacuyag and Beverly Palma, all of Ilocos Sur, were declared dead on arrival at the Bangui District Hospital, said Senior Insp. Pedro Barbado, chief of the Burgos municipal police.

The victims were reportedly asleep and were thrown off their seats when the driver of the GMW Liner bus identified as Roel Trinidad suddenly stepped on the brakes.

Trinidad told police a hard object hit the windshield prompting him to step on the brakes as they were traveling in Barangay Saoit.

Barbado said Trinidad was among those injured in the incident.

The victims were taken to the Bangui District Hospital and the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center for treatment.  – With RaymundCatindig, Charlie Lagasca