SEVENTEEN people died after a passenger bus plunged into a deep ravine in Hamtic town in Antique on Tuesday afternoon, officials said yesterday.
Eleven others were injured, including seven who are in critical condition.
Antique Gov. Rhodora Cadiao said there had been double entries which led to an initial bigger casualty count. Reports on Tuesday night said over 20 persons died.
She said the Ceres bus, which had 28 passengers including the driver and conductor, came from Iloilo City and was en route to Culasi, Antique when the mishap occurred at around 4:30 p.m. at a curvy part of the road in Barangay Igbucagay.
Cadiao, quoting a teacher who was among survivors, said the bus driver stopped the vehicle to check on the brakes, then repeatedly honked the horn, signaling he lost control of the bus which later fell into the ravine that was about 20 to 30 meters deep.
“I call that area killer curve,” said Cadiao, adding there have been similar accidents in the area in the past, with many fatalities. She could not immediately give figures but said it was the second accident for a Ceres bus.
Cadiao also surmised some of the passengers jumped out of the bus while it was falling, noting some of the fatalities were found outside the vehicle.
The bus driver and conductor died, she said adding some of the other fatalities were students who were returning home to Antique in the middle of the week.
Vallacar Transit Incorporated (VTI) said it has suspended the operation of 12 remaining bus units under its franchise.
“VTI has reported the incident to the LTFRB immediately, and is willing to cooperate with any investigations they will be conducting,” it added.
The company also apologized to and condoled with the bereaved families.
The company said it will also provide financial assistance to the passengers and their families, as well as medical and burial expenses.
“Rest assured that we are doing everything that we can to make sure that this is being handled properly and carefully,” the company said.
Sen. Grace Poe reiterated her call for the passage of a measure which will create the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) that will be the sole agency to strictly inspect public vehicles, drivers’ licenses, and safety measures to prevent road accidents.
The measure to create the NTSB is pending on second reading.
Poe said crash incidents will continue to happen as vehicles that are not roadworthy are still allowed to ply the highways. Worse, she added, some drivers manage to command the steering wheel even without rigorous training.
She said the NTSB will also cover the investigation of transportation-related incidents in the air, sea, and land, including railways and pipeline systems.
Concerned agencies must also ensure that fees collected from vehicle registration and taxes go to road safety measures such as street lights, railings, and sign boards, she said.
“As we express our deepest sympathies to the families of the bus crash victims, we expect that all assistance will be given to tide them over this tragic incident. We are enraged with the loss of lives that could have been prevented,” Poe said. — With Ashzel Hachero and Raymond Africa
