LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – Four passengers were killed and 16 others injured when a passenger bus, whose driver reportedly fell asleep at the wheel, plunged into a 10‑meter‑deep ravine along the Rolando Andaya Highway in Barangay Magais‑I, Del Gallego town, Camarines Sur, on Friday, Dec. 26.
Police Lt. Col. Malu Calubaquib, Police Regional Office-5 (PRO-5) spokesperson, identified the fatalities as 60-year-old passenger Au, a resident of Quezon City; Mike from PNR Taguig, and two other passengers—a man and a woman—whose identities are still being verified.
Initial investigation revealed that a DLTB bus was traveling from Cubao, Quezon City, to Gubat town, Sorsogon province.
Driver Jay, 48, of Paranaque City, allegedly fell asleep behind the steering wheel, causing him to lose control of the bus, and veered off the road and plunged into the ravine.
The accident occurred at around 3:25 a.m.
Responders from the Del Gallego Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) transported the victims to Maria L. Eleazar General Hospital in Tagkawayan, Quezon province.
Authorities said there were 27 people on board the bus, including the driver and an alternate driver.
Seven passengers were reported unharmed, while both drivers sustained injuries and are currently recovering in the hospital.
Police said a full investigation is ongoing, including efforts to identify the remaining unidentified victims.
Injured passengers continue to receive medical care as authorities assess the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident. (Niño Luces)
