BACOLOD CITY – Fifteen persons were injured after the passenger jeepney they were riding plunged into a canal in Barangay Hilamonan, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Thursday, May 4.
A PASSENGER jeepney lies on its side after it fell into a canal in Barangay Hilamonan, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Thursday, May 4. (Photo courtesy of Kabankalan City Police Station)
Two victims were identified as Teresita Torres, 53, of Barangay 9, an elementary school principal, and Jezrel Losyoy, 23, of Barangay Camingawan, a jeepney conductor.
The other victims were high school students aged 18 to 23.
Police Lt. Col. John Joel Batusbatusan, Kabankalan police chief, said that the jeepney driven by 37-year-old Zaldy Bendita overtook a tricycle but lost control over the vehicle when it encountered mechanical trouble.
The vehicle swerved and crashed into the edge of a perimeter wall of a residential village before falling sideways into a canal.
Victims were taken to a hospital and later discharged.
Batusbatusan said the jeepney driver was released from police custody after the victims decided not to press charges against him.