21 bus passengers hurt in Lucena highway crash

LUCENA CITY – At least 21 bus passengers were injured in a vehicular collision along the diversion road in Lucena City early Monday, police said.

Quezon police director Senior Supt. Osmundo de Guzman said in a report that a Philtranco bus being driven by Melchor Peliyas accidentally crashed into the concrete barriers of the diversion road in Barangay (village) Silangang Mayao around 2:30 a.m.

But while another Philtranco bus being driven by Rogelio Monge was assisting the distressed vehicle, the second Philtranco bus was accidentally bumped from behind by a Manila-bound Amihan bus being driven by Jomel Marlo Bolivar.

Monge and 20 passengers of the Amihan bus sustained injuries and were taken by policemen and rescuers to Quezon Medical Center in the city proper for emergency treatment, report said.

The bus companies agreed to settle the accident amicably, police said. /kga