Drivers unaware of coming train cause railway accident, 11 injured—police

MANILA, Philippines—At least 11 people were injured after two vehicles were hit by a train in Manila early Thursday, police said.

Senior Police Officer 2 Domingo Ligutan of Manila Police District station 8 said two vehicles, a multicab and a Toyota Minicar, were rammed by a Philippine National Railways train on Teresa Street in Sta. Mesa, Manila, fronting the Polytechnic University of the Philippines around 9:10 a.m.

He said initial investigation revealed that the drivers of the vehicles were unaware that another train was coming from the opposite direction, besides the one that had just passed from the other lane.

“Hindi nila napansin na may parating pa bukod doon sa lumagpas na (They didn’t notice there’s another train coming besides the one that has just passed by),” Ligutan said, adding that the railroad crossing gates were not working.

The drivers heard the sirens, he said, but thought that it was a signal for the train that had just passed.

Both cars were “seriously” damaged and were thrown on the side because of the impact, injuring its passengers.

“Yung minicar lang ang tumaob pero pareho silang nakaladkad at napunta sa gilid (The minicar was the only one toppled but both vehicles were dragged on to the side of the tracks),” Ligutan said, but added that the victims were all conscious as they were being rushed to the hospital.

As of posting, an investigation is being conducted.