4 hurt as shuttle bus falls into Morong ravine

Four people were injured after a shuttle bus en route to Subic Bay Freeport lost control and fell into a ravine in Morong, Bataan.

According to a report by GMA Regional TV's CJ Torrida on 24 Oras, dashcam footage captured the harrowing moment along the Corregidor Road as the bus, reportedly carrying employees on their way to work, began sliding backwards on the winding road. Witnesses said the vehicle appeared to have lost its brakes.

The bus narrowly avoided a group of cyclists before it left the road, colliding with trees and a water pipeline, causing water to gush out from a damaged pipe.

Morong Police investigator PSSgt. Leo Angelo Loyola said initial findings suggest the bus' accelerator became stuck, preventing the driver from controlling the vehicle.

“Yung bus po nila is na-stuck po ‘yung accelerator pad at hindi na po nakontrol ng driver kaya po nagtuloy-tuloy po ito pababa. Hindi na siya nakapag preno,” he said. 

(The accelerator pad was stuck, and the driver could no longer control the vehicle from descending backwards. He was unable to apply the brakes.)

Four passengers sustained injuries in the accident, while the driver did not suffer any injuries.

Data from the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) show that over 25,000 road accidents were recorded in provinces from January to September last year. The highest number of incidents occurred in April, followed by March, with a surge in accidents in May—typically peak travel season.

Authorities reminded motorists, especially bus drivers, to make sure their vehicles are in proper condition before traveling.

“Paalala lang po sa ating mga kababayan, mag-ingat po lalo na po 'yung mga driver. Lagi po nating ugaliing i-check ang ating mga minamanehong sasakyan, lalo na ang mga bus, bago bumiyahe para maiwasan po natin 'yung mga ganitong aksidente,” said Loyola. 

(We urge all drivers to regularly inspect their vehicles, especially buses, before hitting the road in order to prevent accidents such as this.) — Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News