MANILA, Philippines – Lives could have been saved had the driver of the bus bound for Ilocos Sur recognized the early warning sign by following his nose.
Edgardo Cua, one of the survivors of the April 18 road mishap, said that even before the overcrowded Leomarick minibus went up the mountainous area, he had already warned the driver of the burning smell of the clutch.
But Cua said the driver had dismissed the warning and said that the smell came from the bus’ exhaust pipe.
“Sinabi ko naman kasi sa kanya na kuya mabaho na clutch mo, sabi ko sa kanya sa baba pa lang. Sabi niya di, sa tambutso lang ‘yon, sa langis.”
It was already too late when the driver sensed the danger. He lost control of the vehicle until it plunged into a ravine about 100 feet deep in Barangay Capintalan, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija.
Cua said that before the bus fell, he even tried to snatch the steering wheel from the driver and that it was a miracle that he had survived the crash as he held on to a pipe.
“Gusto ko sanang agawin ang manibela eh pupunta ko sana sa bundok kaso malaglag na kami, medyo mabilis na nawalan ng preno.”
On Wednesday, the fatalities from the crash climbed to 33, while 44 others remained confined at the hospital.
The last one who died was 56-year-old Maximo Esperon. He was admitted to the intensive care unit of the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Hospital before he passed away at 2:40 p.m.
