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QUITO, March 8 (Xinhua) -- At least 12 people were killed after a passenger bus crashed with a car, veered off the road and plummeted into a ravine in northern Ecuador, local media reported on Wednesday.
The twelveth and latest victim died at the hospital around dawn on Wednesday, as rescue workers returned to the scene to ensure no one else was trapped under the wreckage.
Another 25 passengers were injured in the accident, which took place Tuesday afternoon on a stretch of highway near Town of Guayllabamba, in Pichincha province, 29 kilometers northeast of the capital Quito.
At least two of the wounded were airlifted to hospitals, due to the gravity of their injuries.
"Most of the passengers were students, workers and merchants," the daily El Universo said.
The bus driver, "who caused the accident, fled the scene, while the driver of the car ... died instantly, as did his two-year-old daughter," the daily said, adding the man's wife is in critical condition.
According to the daily, the vice president of the bus company said the driver had to take responsibility for the tragedy.
