5 dead, 22 injured in bus crash in Samal Island
-A A +ATuesday, October 30, 2012
MANILA — A bus has crashed into a boulder on a southern Philippine island resort, leaving five people dead and 22 hurt, a rescue official said Tuesday.
Janus Rafailes, head of Samal Island's disaster office, said Tuesday three of the injured passengers were in critical condition in hospital. Among those killed was the driver.
He said the bus' brakes apparently failed as it was speeding down a hill, forcing the driver to slam the vehicle into a roadside boulder to avoid crashing into a ravine.
Samal Island is a popular tourist destination because of its pristine beaches but Rafailes said the victims were all residents of the island and nearby Davao City.
Accidents are common in the country and are often blamed on poorly maintained vehicles and roads, and bad driving.
In Cebu City, at least seven people died while 33 others were injured when a packed bus lost its brakes and slammed into a concrete wall in Barangay Don Andres Soriano, Toledo City, Saturday night.
In the same area about two years ago, 15 people died while 48 others were wounded when another bus also lost its brakes. (AP/Sunnex)
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