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Tanay survivor: Bus driver said 'Sorry, nawalan ng preno' before deadly crash


 

Survivors of the deadly bus accident in Tanay, Rizal recalled resorting to prayers as they braced for their lives moments before their vehicle rammed a roadside tree, GMA News' Cedric Castillo reported on "24 Oras" Wednesday.

Joever Sumugat said the driver of Bus Number 8 apologized to them after realizing the brakes did not work.

"Nagsisigawan na po kami kasi sabi ng bus driver nawalan daw po siya ng preno, nagsosorry siya sa amin. Sabi niya, 'Sorry nawalan ako ng preno' tapos nagtayuan na po kami, sigawan, tapos iba po nagdadasal," Sumugat said.

Jason Cristobal, a first year Information Technology student, said he heard an unfamiliar sound when the driver tried to hit the brakes.

"Nagpreno po sya. 'Pag preno po niya may tumunog po, may pumilantik na lang po kaming narinig. Bumangga na po kami sa gilid ng bundok tapos sa mga concrete barrier, tapos muntik na kaming mahulog sa bangin pero naiwas niya po," Cristobal said.

"Ginawa na lang po naming mga nasa likod kumapit na lang po kami tapos nagsign of the cross na lang kami ng sign of the cross, nagdasal na lang po kami na si God na po yung bahala," he added, before breaking down in tears.

Anthony Melgarejo, for his part, said the driver ignored his classmates when they called his attention to what smelled like burning rubber.

"Amoy sunog po na goma po talaga. Tapos yung sahig po kasi ng bus ramdam na po kasi naming mainit na," Melgarejo said.

"Wala namang kibo. Tuloy-tuloy lang po siya pagda-drive niya... sabi ko Lord kayo na bahala sa amin. Tapos namalayan ko po, bumunggo na po," he added, while controlling his tears.

Cristobal and another classmate, 17-year-old April, recalled seeing bodies scattered on the ground. Ten passengers of the tourist bus were declared dead on the spot.

"Puro na po sila nakabulagta, tapos pagdungaw ko po sa gilid yung mga classmate ko na iba dun gumagapang na po. Yung iba buhay, yung iba patay," Cristobal said.

"Yung iba nakita ko nakaupo pero natusukan sila ng bakal sa paa tapos yung iba po biyak na yung mukha. Nung nakita ko po yun nablangko na ko, naghanap na ko ng daan palabas," he added.

"Nakapatong na sa akin yung mga kaklase ko po na wala na pong buhay, sir. Tapos po yung katawan ko po hindi ko na magalaw," April said.

Nonetheless, April said the accident would not hinder her from pursuing her dreams: "Kahit ganito po nangyari sa akin, ipu-push ko pa rin po yung pangarap ko."

Still in the hospital

The report said 18 victims remain admitted at the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, including one at the intensive care unit.

Assistant Emergency Room head Dr. Farrah Salvani said the ARMMC medical personnel are closely monitoring the male casualty.

"We are still not out of the woods. We’re still monitoring him closely but he's awake. Even though intubated siya, nakaka-respond naman siya," Salvani said.

Bestlink College of the Philippines pledged to shoulder the expenses, the report said.

Tanay PNP chief Supt. Chris Dela Peña said they have yet to file criminal charges since even the driver was killed in the accident.

Dela Peña said the police can only assist on the civil aspect of the case against the tourist bus operator and Bestlink College.

"Sa civil aspect naman puwede kami po mag-assist pero more on civil aspect lang, more on sa operator at sa eskwelahan," Dela Peña said.

He noted the liability of Bestlink on the accident since it only issued a parent's consent form for the field trip.

"Nakalagay dun talaga na liable sila pag once na may nangyari sa activity ng mga bata," Dela Peña said. "Hindi po waiver, parent’s consent ang nakalagay dun, ang binigay ng school." —Joseph Tristan Roxas/JST, GMA News

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