4 dead, 34 hurt in bus accident

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MANILA – A pregnant woman and three siblings were killed while 34 others were injured on Sunday in an accident involving an out-of-control bus along the highway in Barangay Kimantong in Daraga, Albay.

According to Albay police director Supt. Marlo Meneses, the siblings who died were Ryan Percibal, 8, Grace Ann, 4, and Maria Georgine,7, all surnamed Abrigo from Pilar, Sorsogon; while the two-month pregnant woman was identified as Princess Ladenes Dichoso, a 26-year-old teacher from Barangay Capoy, Sorsogon.

Ryan and Grace died on the spot, while Maria Georgine and Dichoso died on Sunday at Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital in Daraga where they were bought for treatment, said Daraga police chief Supt. Joel Adan.

The parents of the Abrigo siblings, Gina and Richard, were injured, he added.

The Don Don Liner bus carried 38 passengers and was travelling from Sorsogon City to Legazpi City when it went out of control, rolled down a slope and eventually hitting a concrete fence around 9:30 am.

The Abrigo family were seated at the side of the bus that slammed into the fence, shared Adan.

“According to our preliminary investigation, the bus lost control at the slope due to loose brakes,” he said.

He added that the driver, identified as Romel Janer San Buenaventura, 43-year-old resident of Barangay Pamuratan in Sorsogon City, suffered minor injuries and was brought to Daraga police where he faces charges for reckless imprudence resulting to homicide.