50 hurt in bus-truck collision on SCTEx

SCTEx personnel and kibitzers look at the wreckage of the passenger bus that reportedly rear-ended a cargo truck along the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) in Concepcion, Tarlac, on Thursday morning. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Originally posted @ 10:27 a.m., Jan. 31, 2019

Updated @ 1 p.m., Jan. 31, 2019 to include deaths

MANILA, Philippines – Four people were killed and about 30 people were injured after a tour bus collided with a truck along the northbound lane of the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) in Concepcion, Tarlac, on Thursday morning, a traffic official said.

Robin Ignacio, North Luzon Expressway-SCTEX traffic management and safety head, said most of the bus passengers sustained minor injuries while three were initially seriously hurt.

The seriously injured were brought to a nearby hospital. Those seriously injured later succumbed their injuries.

READ: 4 die as bus slams into rear of truck on SCTEx

“Halos lahat ay sugatan sa bus,” Ignacio said in an interview over dzMM.

“Karamihan ay minor (injury). Mayroon lang binabantayan na tatlo,” he added.

He noted that the bus which was coming from Cavite was carrying government employees.

Ignacio said that initial investigation showed that the bus slammed into the rear of the truck.

Melvin Viloria, supervisor of SCTEx traffic control room, said the accident happened in front of the PTT gas station at about 5:20 a.m.

Citing testimonies of bus passengers, Ignacio said the bus was “talagang medyo mabilis.”

The traffic official said investigators were still looking into whether the bus driver miscalculated his speed or fell asleep before the accident.

Ignacio said the accident slowed traffic in the area up to 200 meters from the crash site. Maria Adelaida Calayag /cbb