At least 26 die as bus falls into ravine in Nueva Ecija town

April 18, 2017

At least 26 died while 21 were injured after a passenger bus fell into a ravine in Nueva Ecija on Tuesday morning. In a radio interview, Michael Calma, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council chief, said based on initial report some of the injured victims were brought to the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial hospital, Veterans Regional Hospital and Integrated Provincial Hospital. A report at the Caranglan Police Station said the incident occurred around 9:45 am along the Maharlika Highway in the vicinity of Sitio Nursery, Brgy. Capintalan, Nueva Ecija. Calma said initial report shows that the Leo Marick bus with plate number AVZ-757 lost control of its brake. “The bus is totally wrecked,” he added. He said the vehicle was on its way to Candon, Ilocos Sur from Isabela province. Calma said personnel of Nueva Ecija provincial disaster and risk reduction office have brought big flashlights to continue rescue operations at night. The Land Transportation and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued a suspension order on the operator of the Leo Maric bus firm. LTFRB spokesperson and board member Aileen Lizada said in a text message the  suspension  takes effect once the operator, initially identified as Leonardo Patulot, receives a copy of the order. The operator has two buses, including the one which fell into the ravine. Based on the initial information from LTFRB field officers, the bus was not out of line and has a franchise. "There are many angles (about the accident) that we need to thresh out," she said in an interview over dzMM radio. Robina Asido/DMS