6 hurt as passenger bus rams into NLEx barrier

EXPRESSWAY ACCIDENT A passenger bus bound for Metro Manila fails to reach its destination after the bus driver reportedly complains of a tightness in his chest, causing him to crash the vehicle into a barrier on the North Luzon Expressway. He and five passengers are taken to the hospital for injuries. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — Six people were injured on Sunday morning after a provincial passenger bus headed for Manila crashed into metal barriers and concrete culvert pipes on a portion of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) in Caloocan City.

One of those injured was Jesus Bautista, the 51-year-old driver of the First North Luzon Transit bus.

According to a report of the Caloocan police station’s traffic accident investigation unit, the incident occurred at 9:40 a.m. as the bus was running on the southbound lane.

Construction site

Passengers seated near the front of the bus said that the vehicle suddenly veered to the right before it smashed into a metal barrier and struck several concrete culvert pipes and other construction materials for the Skyway Stage 3 project.

Due to the impact, the bus leaned over to the right, causing minor injuries to Bautista and five passengers who were identified as Roy Vincent Batoon, 36; Sherwin Tepase, 27; Lito Abella, 29; Perlita Esteban, 75; and Mary Rose Serrano, 26.

They were taken to Manila Central University Hospital for treatment.

Despite his injuries, Bautista will still be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in physical injury and damage to property.

The cause of the accident remained under investigation although traffic investigator Police Col. Job Zalun said the driver reportedly felt a tightness in his chest before the crash took place.

Caloocan police chief Police Col. Noel Flores said that the NLEx management facilitated the rescue operations before it turned over the investigation of the accident to them. He added that NLEx also provided the crane that was used to remove the bus.

Buildup in traffic

The accident caused traffic to build up in the area in the morning. Thousands of people were expected to head back to Metro Manila from provinces in the north after visiting their departed loved ones during the All Saints’ Day break.