Eight persons were killed when a passenger jeepney loaded with more than 30 people fell into a ravine in San Mariano, Isabela Sunday.
The road crash happened a day after a road accident in Camarines Sur that killed a would-be bride and 12 others.
Carlos Taguba, head of the San Mariano Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said the passenger jeepney plunged into a ravine some 10 to 12 feet high at around 6 p.m.
He identified the victims as Gina Magusib; John Lloyd Rivera, 14; Marilen Gammad, 57; Inez Tapaoan; Carmelita Zalun, 54; Iring Cleto; and eight-year old John Lloyd Cadiente. They all died on the spot.
The eighth fatality, Rosina Madria, died while undergoing treatment in a hospital in Cauayan City.
Taguba said the driver of the jeepney and 29 other passengers were taken to various hospitals in the province for treatment of the cuts, bruises, and fractures.
The local official said that the jeepney left San Mariano town proper and was headed to Barangay Macayucayu when the vehicle’s brakes allegedly malfunctioned while descending on a curve and downhill part of the road.
Initial investigation disclosed that the jeepney was overloaded. Aside from the passengers, it was also carrying bags of cement and sacks of feeds. (Aaron Recuenco)