Tragic Majayjay road mishap death toll now 6, with 54 injured

Six persons died while more than 50 were injured after a bus and a sport utility vehicle collided in Majayjay, Laguna, EJ Gomez reported Monday on 24 Oras.

The fatal accident happened along a curved road along Barangay Bakia past 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Due to the impact, the SUV turned on its side while the bus crashed into a tree.

“Habang bumabaybay po sila dito sa pababa ng Dalitiwan, Barangay Bakia. Nakain po niya yung kabilang linya sa kaliwa. Ito naman po yung SUV na sasakyan, paahon, inabutan na po, binangga na. Hanggang sa kinabig niya po pakanan para hindi po magtuloy-tuloy yung pagbangga niya, bumangga naman po siya sa puno,” said Reyjohn Libato, Majayjay Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office officer.

(While the bus was headed downhill in Dalitiwan, Barangay Bakia, it took some space on the opposite road. Meanwhile, the SUV was traveling uphill when it was hit by the bus. The bus swerved to the right when it tried to avoid the SUV but it hit a tree.)

The front of the bus was crushed upon impact, its windshield was shattered and interior damaged. The SUV’s windshield was also crushed while its hood was crumpled,exposing its engine.

Among the fatalities were a senior citizen, a teenager, and two men, including the bus conductor.

More than 50 victims were taken to various hospitals for medical treatment.

Among them is the seven-year-old nephew of Daisy who was seated at the front along with his grandmother, who perished.

“Yung lola niya yinakap sya para lang ma-save. Yung fracture na dito, basag, tapos dito basag din sya so kailangan siyang dalhin surgeon hospital,” Daisy said.

(His grandmother embraced him to save him. He has a fracture in his jaw and upper mouth area so he needs to be treated by a surgeon.)

Meanwhile, Leonardo Veliz said the bones on one arm were broken. He also needed stitches to close some injuries.

The SUV’s driver and six passengers all survived. One minor sustained a large bump on his head which needs to undergo a CT scan.

The bus driver is under the custody of the Majayjay Municipal Police.

“Pababa ako. Parehas kami nabulaga. Pagkatama ko sa kaniya, naipihit ko ng kanan para mapahinto kaso nga parang pabulusok yun na po nangyari. nagulat din ako. Humihingi po ako ng kapatawaran. Walang may kagustuhan po sa mga nangyari po,” the bus driver said.

(I was going downhill. We were both surprised. After I hit the SUV, I turned right to stop the bus because we were going downhill. I was also shocked. I am asking for forgiveness. Nobody wanted for this to happen.)

According to initial investigation, the bus was returning to Cavite when the accident occurred. It was full of tourists who visited the Kamay ni Hesus Healing Church in Lucban, Quezon.

Meanwhile, the SUV and its occupants were going back to Atimonan, Quezon after visiting a relative in Majayjay.

“Sobrang delikado nga po ng lugar na ito dahil kurba po sya then wala pong ilaw kaya po andito po yung mga barangay tanod saka po yung kasamahan kong crime watch para i-assist po yung mga motorista para maiwasan na po yung ganitong aksidente po,” said Mark Jay Arcilla, Citizen Crime Watch Majayjay, Laguna.)

(This part of the road is really dangerous due to its tight curve then there’s no light so the barangay tanod and the crime watch are here to assist motorists to avoid this kind of accident.)

As proof to how accident prone the area is, another SUV and a jeepney figured in another accident at 6 a.m. on Monday, less than 100 meters away from the previous crash after the jeepney lost power while going uphill.

GMA Integrated News has reached out to the SUV driver and the bus company for comment.—Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News