5 La Union folks in bus- van collision need surgery

By Erwin G. Beleo

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — Five of seven people injured in a van-bus collision that killed six people in Barangay Aguso, Tarlac City on July 23 may still require surgery at the Ilocos Training Regional Medical Center here.

Earlier, it was reported that the collision between a Toyota Hi-Ace van and a Santrans passenger bus killed van driver Jemor Bueno, 58, and his passengers Teresita Basadre, Silvestre Basadre, Gerald Basadre, 31; Lolita Marzan, and Andrea Duran, all residents of Tubao, La Union.

Barangay Chairman Reynaldo Viduya of Barangay Leones West in Tuba confirmed their remains have already been returned to their hometown.

However, Viduya said five of the injured passengers of the van have not been discharged from the ITRMC as they may require surgery.

Among those seriously injured were Dolores Mapanao, 53; Maximo Dolen, 68; Rolando Duran, 58; Pricilla Sales, 69; and her husband Benito Sales, 63.

Viduya said another injured victim, Edmar Laron, 8, was already discharged from the hospital.

Ofelia V. Lopido, 52, one of those hospitalized, said Monday there were 12 of them inside van traveling back home to La Union when the Santrans bus struck them.

Police said the two vehicles were both traveling at high speed when they came into a collision course, adding that initial investigation showed that it was the van that seemed to veer out of course.

The bus driver Pepito Dela Luna, 55, a resident of Caingin, San Rafael, Bulacan, was taken into custody by the Tarlac City police and set to be charged over the incident.