MANILA, Philippines — A teacher was hailed as a hero after saving his student from getting run over by a bus in Negros Occidental, but at the cost of his own life last week.

Online news site Visayan Daily Star (www.visayandailystar.com) cited belated reports that the incident occurred at 4 p.m. last Thursday in Sagay City.

Teacher Cesar Quinto Jr. died after being hit by the bus driven by Ephraim Suarez at Bangga Simbahan in Central Lopez, Barangay Paraiso in Sagay City.

Police investigation showed that Quinto, a teacher at the Holy Family School, pushed the student toward the side of the road before the bus, owned by the Open Door Baptist Church, hit him.

Suarez surrendered to police shortly after the incident, while church pastor Jonathan Arellano blamed the accident on the bad condition of the road.

Residents and employees of the sugar central in the area also complained about the dilapidated road and noted that several accidents had already happened there.

Officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways said they were working on the passageway but rains during the past weeks have hampered their progress.