31 hurt after mini bus falls on side in NLEX on Christmas Eve

Thirty-one persons were injured after a mini bus lost control which caused it to fall on its sidealong a portion of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in San Fernando, Pampanga on the morning of Christmas Eve.

According to Jonathan Andal’s report in 24 Oras on Tuesday, NLEX’s initial investigation showed the mini bus and an Asian Utility Vehicle were both traveling along the inner lane when the former suddenly lost control. It spun around, hit the AUV behind it and suddenly fell on its side.

“Parang self-accident siya…allegedly ‘yung driver, sabi niya doon sa initial investigation, mayroon daw siyang narinig na maingay sa sasakyan nila,” said Robin Ignacio, NLEX Operations Department head.

(It seemed to be a self-accident…allegedly, the driver said that he heard a loud sound in his vehicle.)

“I’m not sure if on the engine but maingay doon sa ano, and then suddenly na-out of control siya,” he added.

(I’m not sure if he’s referring to the engine, but he heard something loud, and then suddenly he lost control.)

Of the 31 victims, 29 were passengers of the mini bus while the two others were onboard the AUV.

Bloodied victims escaped from a hole in the rear of the damaged bus, seeking help from passing motorists. Many of the passengers were small children.

One of the elderly victims suffered a cracked forehead.

Among the injured was Teresita Garcia Chung, an elderly woman who is currently in critical condition. Meanwhile, the youngest victim is a 10-month-old baby.

“Umikot-ikot kami kaya kinover ko yung apo ko. Maya-maya bumaligtad na po yung bus,” said Catherine Aragon, one of the passengers.

(We were spinning around that’s why I immediately covered my grandchild. Later on, the bus fell on its side.)

All the victims were brought to the JBL Hospital in San Fernando.

However, the San Fernando Police said that both parties have different narratives on the accident. The drivers of the mini bus and the AUV will file complaints against each other, the report said.

“Yung version po ng Innova…na-lose control daw po yung jeepney kaya po tumama sa kanya…itong Carmix mini bus, sabi naman po niya may tumamang malakas daw po sa likuran niya kaya na-lose control siya,” said P/Maj. Don Kenneth Asuncion, San Fernando Police Sub-Station 2 commander.

(According to the Innova driver, the jeepney lost control which caused it to hit them. The Carmix mini bus, on the other hand, claimed that something heavy hit the rear of his vehicle which caused him to lose control.)

Police said the mini bus was not overloaded but had 28 passengers which is its maximum capacity.

The two drivers are under police custody.

The accident caused a 2.5 kilometer-long traffic jam along the expressway which lasted for two hours. 

7 dead, 1 hurt in South Cotabato road accident

Meanwhile, seven members of a family died and one was injured after their van struck a tree in Polomolok, South Cotabato.

The victims were on their way home from a family trip when their utility van reportedly lost its brakes.

Two of the fatalities died on the spot, while five others died in the hospital. 

Meanwhile, a van fell off a cliff in Bontoc - Baguio on Monday.

Authorities were able to rescue the driver who is now in the hospital.

The cause of the accident is yet to be determined.
—Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News