2 buses collide head-on in Quezon highway; 5 hurt

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

LUCENA CITY – At least five persons were injured when two passenger buses collided head-on along the Maharlika Highway in Atimonan, Quezon early dawn Tuesday, police said.

Senior Supt. Ronaldo Genaro Ylagan, Quezon police chief, said at 2:20 a.m. Bicol-bound DLTB bus (UYA-298) overtook another vehicle while negotiating a curve portion of the highway in Barangay (village) Lumutan when it collided with an incoming Raymund bus (EVR-403).

Four DLTB passengers, Vergilio Masaga, Angelo Carlo Deto, Aneta Fercol and Cynthia Lagonzo; and Cynthia Renigen from Raymund bus, all sustained injuries and were rushed by rescuers to Doña Marta Memorial District Hospital in Atimonan.

Police were conducting investigation while both bus drivers were under police custody.

Ylagan advised all motorists passing the Maharlika Highway on their way home after the holiday to check the worthiness of their vehicles and drive safely.

“Maharlika highway is a killer for reckless drivers. Irresponsible driving often results [in] deadly accident,” Ylagan said.

On Oct. 19, 20 people were killed and more than 50 persons injured in an eight-vehicle smashup on a remote downhill stretch of the zigzag diversion road in Atimonan town.

Ylagan urged all drivers to remain alert and drive defensively.