20 injured as bus falls down Marcos Highway ravine

TUBA, Benguet -- At least 20 people were hurt after a passenger bus fell down a 37-foot high ravine here before dawn Tuesday.

Reports said passengers who sustained minor injuries, were brought to Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center.

Investigation showed the Victory Liner bus, which came from Pasay City on its way to Baguio City, was speeding along Marcos Highway in Sitio Umesber, Taloy Sur, Tuba, Benguet around 3:45 a.m. when a truck, coming from the opposite lane, overtook another vehicle.

The bus driver steered clear of the oncoming truck and fell into a 10-foot ravine, reports added.

Police identified the bus driver as Levy Domasig Dipad, 53, of Centro LongotZ apote, Bacoor City while bus conductor was Michael Villamor Rodriguez, 41, of Maungid, Pora, Tarlac.

According to Dipad, they the unidentified truck at sharp curve, he was blinded by its light so he swerved to right side of the road making the bus fall down the ravine.

Injured were Rehana Lasingo Malaco, Noraina Lasingo Malaco, Walfina Lasingo Malaco, Renato Rafael Dizon, Myrna O. Roperto, Joel M. Mangubat,  Ricardo M. Tolentino, Romilo P. Florez, Christopher A. Dacanay, Arlene T. Landisan, Benjamen  T. Landisan, Elmerito M. Fonseca, Arlene N. Abiento, Daniel V. Tamondong, Charry N. Adane,  Brade Stephen Malanao, Sheila Marcos, and JunieDacanay.

Others were Raingel Pelaez, Angelita Degay,  Polmores Degay and Mark Pino,

A Finnish national identified as Vesa Puosi, 25, was not injured during the incident.