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Sunday, November 02, 2008
6 killed, 60 injured in bus-van mishap
MABALACAT, Pampanga -- At least six persons were killed and about 60 others were injured when a bus collided with an Asian utility van (AUV) along the North Luzon Expressway here Saturday afternoon.
Initial police report said two of the fatalities were a couple on board the north-bound van. The other victims were passengers of the Manila-bound Fermina Transit.
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Senior Superintendent Fernando Villanueva, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Highway Patrol Group in Central Luzon, said the North-bound Fermina bus encroached on the other side of the highway when it hit the Toyota Revo van.
"The bus was trying to overtake another vehicle and rammed the Revo vehicle on the other lane," he said.
Those killed and injured were rushed to the Angeles University Foundation Medical Center in Angeles City.
Five were killed on the spot while another passenger of the bus succumbed later at the hospital.
Police said the impact was very strong that the Revo was split into four.
The bus driver who was slightly injured was held by the police on charges of multiple homicide and physical injuries through reckless imprudence.
Some of the injured bus passengers were released after receiving treatment at the hospital.
Police investigators have yet to release the identities of the fatalities pending notification of their relatives.
Police said except for the collision, the situation in Central Luzon was normal as of 3 p.m. Saturday.
Dark clouds and scattered rain showers greeted the throng of people who trooped to cemeteries Saturday to pay respect and light candles for their departed loved ones.
In Guagua town, portions of the public cemetery have been in ankle-deep water due to the high tide that drew the canal waters into the streets leading to the cemetery.
"We've been used to this every year, there was even a time that rains fell heavily that we could only visit our dead but we could not light candles," Nestor Lingat, 27, a resident in Barangay Sto. Nino said.
Portions of public cemeteries in Candaba and San Fernando were reported to have been inundated since Friday.
The rains, however, have aggravated the already dense traffic in busy thoroughfares in the province.
Meanwhile, police visibility and security have been intensified with hundreds of police officers stationed along public and private cemeteries by the Central Luzon police office.
Road assistance centers have also been set up by various government agencies to assist motorists until November 2. (VR/PNA/IOF/Sunnex)
(November 2, 2008 issue)
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