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A burnt bus is seen at the side of the gutter on Wednesday at the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) near the Concepcion Exit, indicating a gruesome accident. (Jonas Reyes / MANILA BULLETIN)
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A report from the Central Luzon Police Regional Office (PRO-3) said a Fuso truck with plate number RHD 831, driven by Emmanuel Retardo, 46, with his helper Victor Ayen, 40, both from Plaridel, Bulacan was rammed at its rear by a Five Star Bus (UYD 493) driven by Rolando Untalan, 50, of Calasiao, Pangasinan.
According to the initial investigation sent to Superintendent Augusto Pasamonte, chief of Concepcion Police Station, the speeding Five Star bus was tailing the Fuso truck while traversing the northbound lane of SCTEx. Suddenly, the bus rammed the rear portion of the truck..
The police report said the accident happened around 11:50 p.m. and was reported to authorities around 12:20 a.m. yesterday (Wednesday).
The impact sent the two vehicles falling into a creek, the report said.
Apparently, the bus caught flames after it fell to the embankment and toasted alive three of the passengers who were trapped inside the burning vehicle, police said.
Police have yet to identify the fatalities as investigators on the ground said they were “totally burned.”
Truck driver Retardo and helper Ayen were brought to Dr. Eutiquio Atanacio Memorial Hospital Inc., in Concepcion, Tarlac along with bus passengers Tammy Tagana, 24; Arnolfo Quinto, 59; Alfie Fernandez, 29; Carolyn Fernandez, 24; Rose Ann Agbanlog, 26; Criselda Joy Pascua, 25; Richard Sabiron, 29; Beth Carbonel, 25; and Felisa Bagon, 24.
Meanwhile, Untalan was rushed to Concepcion District Hospital along with his passengers Veronico Policarpio, 48; Dionisio Tibonsay, 33 and his 12-year-old companion (boy); Shaian Amor Sotto, 34; Sharah Jane Esteban, 41; Mylene Martinez, 41; Jerome Ian Lee Balagtas, 19; Meriam Reyes, 25; and a 17-year-old girl who is five months pregnant.
The other two bus passengers, Manny Agravante, 36; and Jhomar Samson, 24, were brought to Tarlac Provincial Hospital, the report added.
A follow-up investigation was already conducted to determine the cause of the accident and the identity of the three fatalities.
Th driver at fault will be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, multiple physical injuries and damage to property, police said.
Source: news.mb.com.ph