At least one person is confirmed dead, while dozens more are seriously injured, after a Ceres Liner bus crashed yesterday morning at Purok Balunggay in Barangay Pacol, Bago City.

Police identified the fatality as 28-year-old Ana May de Claro, a resident of Barangay Ma-ao in the said city.

Bago City Police Station traffic investigators said the bus, which was driven by Imir Paro, was bound for Barangay Ma-ao when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed.

De Claro was killed on the spot after she was pinned by the bus.

Other injured passengers were rushed to various hospitals in Bacolod City.

Based on information provided by the driver to police, he estimated there were around 40 passengers at the time of the accident.

Police are now investigating the incident and are looking at brake failure as the cause of the crash.

Brakes have been blamed for previous crashes.

At least 12 people were injured after a Ceres bus, driven by Jose Tomasar, reportedly lost control of its brakes in Bacolod City’s Barangay Tangub; while another Ceres bus accident left four injured in Barangay Igmayaan, Don Salvador Benedicto after driver Neil Gemalfin also claimed to have lost control of the brakes.

Vallacar Transit Inc., the parent company for the bus service, recently assured those travelling during the Holy Week observance that bus travel is safe, noting, all drivers and conductors will be subject to medical check-ups and affirming the company will strictly comply with security and safety regulations.

The announcement came after a Ceres bus accident in Barangay Fabrica, located in Hamtic, Antique, that resulted in three casualties and seven injuries.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-Region VI suspended Ceres bus operations between Iloilo City’s Molo Terminal and Caticlan in Aklan./DGB, WDJ