BU student miraculously survives; navy man among 11 killed in tragic Albay road mishap

LEGAZPI CITY --- A Bicol University student miraculously survived a tragic road crash that killed 11 of the 12 passengers of a UV Express van plying the Nabua, Camarines Sur–Legazpi City route on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Among the fatalities was a 49-year-old navy officer.

In a press briefing on Thursday, Camalig Mayor Carlos Irwin “Caloy” G. Baldo Jr., together with responding agencies, confirmed the grim toll. Police Major Karlo Dy, chief of the Camalig Municipal Police Station, said that 11 of the 12 individuals aboard the public utility van, including the driver, were declared dead.

The lone survivor is a second-year marketing student of Bicol University who is currently confined at the Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center (BRHMC).

Two of the victims were minors traveling with their grandmother. Authorities reported that it took around eight hours to extricate the victims from the wreckage after the cargo truck rammed the UV Express, sending both vehicles plunging into a ravine.

Earlier, Nabua Mayor Fer Simbulan mistakenly reported 12 fatalities. He later issued an erratum, clarifying that only 11 passengers died.

“We wish to correct our earlier report. The van had 12 passengers in total — 11 fatalities and 1 survivor. Our apologies for the oversight,” Simbulan said, conveying his condolences to the bereaved families. “This is a heart-breaking tragedy for our municipality. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families now facing unimaginable loss,” he said.

He added that some victims were still being identified as several had no identification on them. The Nabua PNP, led by PLTCOL Dominic Borigas, has been working closely with the Camalig police to ensure proper identification and to assist families of the victims.

Simbulan also thanked the Provincial Government of Albay, the Municipal Government of Camalig, the BFP, PNP personnel, CDRRMO Ligao, and the Camalig MDRRMO for their swift response and retrieval efforts.

“As your municipal mayor, I ask everyone to join us in offering prayers and compassion to the grieving families. The LGU stands ready to provide any assistance needed as we face this tragedy together,” he added.

The crash occurred along Maharlika Highway in Barangay Libod, Camalig, near the Maxi Lechon restaurant. The UV Express (LTO Plate GAJ 6626) was heading toward Legazpi City when it was struck head-on by a speeding cargo truck (Plate RFK 576), driven by Recson Zamora.

Police said the cargo truck, coming from the Bypass Road in Barangay Sua, lost control while descending, hit the van, and sent both vehicles falling into a ravine. The impact killed nearly all passengers instantly.

Following the fatal incident, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Region V imposed a preventive suspension on the truck driver and the registered owner of the vehicle. In a statement issued on November 27, LTO Bicol said a Show Cause Order (SCO) was served, giving them 10 days to explain why they should not be held administratively liable for violations including reckless driving under Section 48 of RA 4136, improper operation of a motor vehicle under Section 27, and operating a vehicle with defective accessories under DOTC JAO 2014-01.

The truck reportedly suffered brake failure before colliding with the UV Express. LTO Bicol said it is conducting a thorough investigation into the deadly crash.