20 hurt as passenger bus overturns in Ilocos Norte

SAN ILDEFONSO, ILOCOS SUR, Philippines — Some 20 passengers and occupants of a pickup truck were injured after a public utility bus allegedly suffered brake failure and overturned along the national highway in Barangay Baruyen, Bangui, Ilocos Norte, on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 24.

In a statement Sunday, the Bangui Municipal Police Station said the incident occurred around 5 p.m. and involved a red pickup truck and a bus plying the Laoag City-Pagudpud route.

Initial police investigation showed that the bus was traveling northbound when it allegedly experienced brake malfunction while approaching a sharp curve.

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The bus driver reportedly swerved into the opposite lane to avoid a collision with the pickup truck but subsequently lost control, causing the bus to overturn onto its driver’s side.

The drivers of both vehicles were unharmed, police said.

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Most of the bus passengers and pickup truck occupants sustained injuries and were taken to Bangui District Hospital for medical treatment.

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Police said the investigation into the incident was ongoing.

The Bangui police urged motorists and public utility vehicle operators to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy, particularly their braking systems, and to exercise caution when navigating sharp curves and other hazardous road sections. /cb