RTMI apologizes over wayward bus; blames ‘heavy rains, blind curve’

MALAYBALAY CITY (BukidnonNews.Net/14 August 2022) Passengers sustained injuries and were brought to hospitals Saturday evening as a Rural Transit of Mindanao, Inc (RTMI) bus fell off the zigzag portion of the Sayre Highway in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

Motorists and commuters took to social media photos and initial reports of the incident Saturday evening. 

An initial report from the Manolo Fortich Police Station said the Davao City-bound bus, which carried 30 passengers, fell off a ravine along a portion of the Sayre Highway in Brgy. Tankulan, Manolo Fortich Bukidnon. No one was reported killed in the incident but the police report cited that passengers were injured and were brought to the Bukidnon Provincial Hospital Annex in Brgy. San Miguel, Manolo Fortich.    

The overturned RTMI bus, with body no. 2821, was subject of photos taken to social media Saturday evening. A list of the names of the 30 passengers and the driver and conductor was also shared on social media pages.

RTMI has apologized in a statement dated August 13 and posted as of 9a.m on August 14, 2022. The bus company cited “heavy rains” and “blind curve" caused the incident, even if they said they would conduct their own investigation.  

“We would like to extend our sincerest apologies to the families of the passengers and those who were injured in the incident involving our bus,” the RTMI said in a statement posted by Celer Estologa, Legal and Media Relations Officer of the Yanson Group of Bus Companies, in which RTMI belongs.

The RTMI said 10 of the passengers who sustained minor injuries were brought to BPH Manolo Fortich, Malaybalay Polymedic Hospital, and Pahilan Doctor’s Hospital for treatment. The rest of the passengers have gone through x-ray examination before physicians sent them home, according to the statement.

“Rest assured that the safety and comfort of our passengers is our topmost priority,” the apology statement added. (BukidnonNews.Net)

IN PHOTO: Courtesy of John Fortich