A tragic bus accident occurred in Negros Occidental, resulting in the death of a 40-year-old female teacher and injuries to 34 others. The incident took place at Purok Talus, Barangay Igmaya-an of Don Salvador Benedicto town at 5:40 p.m. on Friday.
Most of the injured individuals were teachers from Paglaum Village Elementary School in Bacolod. The bus, which belonged to the Bacolod city government, was carrying the teachers back home from a team-building activity.
According to reports, the bus lost control due to brake failure while descending from Kilometer 40 to Kilometer 41 of Don Salvador Benedicto, causing it to fall on its side. Tragically, a teacher from the same school as the deceased victim stood up in panic during the incident and suffered fatal injuries.
In total, there were 36 people on board the bus, including the deceased teacher, an unharmed driver, a bus helper, 32 teachers, and possibly a student. The group was returning to Bacolod from Sipaway Island in San Carlos City when the accident occurred.
All the injured individuals were promptly taken to three hospitals in Bacolod City for treatment. Among them, eleven were in critical condition, fifteen were less critical, and eight had minor injuries.
The driver of the bus, Nelmo Gonzaga, has been detained at the Don Salvador Benedicto Police Station pending further investigation into the tragic incident. The community is mourning the loss of the teacher and praying for the speedy recovery of those injured in the accident.