Driver survives Edsa crash

A 22-year-old driver of a van survived a car crash that caused a steel bar to pierce his chest when he rammed a steel railing while evading a speeding SUV in Mandaluyong City last Sunday.

It took rescue workers from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Barangay Ugong in Pasig City more than an hour to cut the 2x4 steel bar that went through Richard Molodoco’s right chest and free him from the wreckage.

With a portion of the steel bar still in his chest, Molodoco was rushed to the Medical City Hospital in Pasig City.

He is now in stable condition at the hospital, police said.

Molodoco was behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi L-300 van and traveling northbound on EDSA when he almost collided with a speeding Mitsubishi Pajero near Guadix street at about 11:25 p.m.

"Ginigitgit kami ng Pajero at umiwas si Richard at kinabig pakanan ang manibela," the victim’s companion said in a TV interview.

His passengers as well as witnesses failed to jot down the plate number of the Pajero.

Molodoco’s L-300 crashed into the steel railing of the sidestreet. The impact caused a portion of the railing to pierce his chest.

Molodoco’s passengers were slightly injured.

Traffic policemen arrived quickly, but they stood helpless as Molodoco screamed in pain from his injuries.