Army soldiers and rescue volunteers look inside the Bragais Liner bus for more survivors after the vehicle figured in a deadly head-on collision with another bus in Lucena. (Photo by BENJIE ANTIOQUIA)

Lucena City – At least eight passengers were killed and 42 others were injured when two buses figured in a head-on collision along the diversion road in Barangay Domoit, this city shortly after midnight Sunday, police said.

Superintendent Elmo Sarona, Lucena City police chief, said seven of the fatalities were passengers of the Manila-bound Bragais Lines bus (EVM 934), while the eighth was aboard the second bus belonging to Lucena Lines.

The official said the Lucena Lines bus, which came from Manila, was travelling along the Maharlika Highway when it suddenly swerved to the opposite lane at the vicinity of Kilometer 129 in Barangay Domoit at 12:30 a.m. Monday, colliding with the oncoming Bragais Lines bus that came from Albay.

“The initial investigation disclosed that the Lucena Lines suddenly swerved towards the left lane. This resulted in the collision with the Bragais Lines which was then travelling on the opposite lane,” said Sarona in a text message to reporters.

Sarona said the strong impact caused massive injuries to the passengers of the Bragais Lines and seven of them died on the spot.

“It was the Bragais Lines which incurred heavy damage on both its front and left portion. This resulted in the instantaneous death of seven of its passengers,” said Sarona.

He identified five of the fatalities as Romeo Buban, 35, a native of Nagcarlan, Laguna; Melchor Candano, an alternate driver of the Bragais bus; Emilina Bayuvo, 60 years old, Rean Bayuvo, 20, and Rizzy Bayuvo, five years old, all residents of Tabaco, Albay.

Three of the fatalities from the Bragais bus remained unidentified.

The lone fatality from the Lucena Lines bus was identified as Marife D. Pada, 25 years old.

Investigators said the left sides of the two vehicles were ripped wide open, some of their metal bracings and iron sheet sidings torn apart, due to the strong impact of the collision.

Police said that a few meters away after crossing Iyam Bridge, both vehicles still ran for about 70 meters before they finally stopped, leaving behind three dead bodies that were thrown out of the ill-fated Bragais Liner.

The personal belongings of the victims were scattered on the highway.

Police said most of the victims were pinned to death by twisted metal and iron sheets. The remains of those killed were brought to Funeraria Pagbilao in this city.

The driver of the Lucena Lines bus, Victor Alcantara of Nagcarlan, Laguna, and the driver of the Bragais bus, Jose Danny Montealegre, both surrendered to the Lucena PNP.

The 42 injured passengers from the Bragais Liner were rushed to the Quezon Medical Center for treatment. Three of them were in serious condition, police said.

A case of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and physical injuries and damage to property will be slapped against those who will be found liable, said Sarona.