MikeLigalig.com

At least five people died and 23 others were hurt in a road mishap here on election day, the Batangas Provincial Police Office (BPPO) said.

Initial investigation by BPPO showed the five fatalities were involved in a collision between a passenger bus and a cargo jeepney along the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) Tollway here early Monday morning.

The bus plunged into a ravine, said Chief Inspector Von Nicasio of the Bureau Fire Protection (BFP)-Lipa City.

Nicasio identified three of the five fatalities as Gilbert Calaluan, 30, of Barangay Isla Verde, Batangas City; Marcelo Bagos, 42, of Barangay Bucal, San Isidro, Tingloy, Batangas; and the bus conductor Aben Llanes, 41, of San Vicente, Albay.

Two women fatalities remain unidentified - one described as 50 to 60 years old, wearing a floral blouse and blue jeans, while the other was described as wearing white and blue striped jacket, Winnie the Pooh blouse and pair of maong pants - were brought to San Fernando Funeral Homes and Batangas Regional Hospital respectively.

Philippine Red Cross (PRC)-Batangas Chapter administrator Ronald Generoso said the five died on the spot when they were pinned at the bottom of the bus.

Fourteen other victims were brought to Batangas Regional Hospital, eight were rushed to St. Patrick Hospital and one to Golden Gate Hospital for treatment. - PNA