Bus flips over in race with another vehicle

MANILA, Philippines - Thirty passengers were injured after a speeding bus flipped to its side following what was reported to be a race against another vehicle in Quezon City before dawn yesterday.

Traffic investigator Police Officer 3 Edgardo Talacay said four of the passengers were seriously hurt, having sustained head and back injuries from the accident. The policeman said all of the 30 passengers were rushed to and treated at the East Avenue Medical Center.

Talacay said the accident happened at around 4:45 a.m. along Commonwealth Avenue in Barangay Holy Spirit. According to Talacay, the 30 injured were on board Nova Transport passenger bus (TWL-723).

Talacay said a representative of the bus company appeared at the hospital and assured the injured passengers that the firm would shoulder all hospital expenses.

The investigator, however, said they have yet to identify the bus driver who ran off and escaped after the incident.

Authorities are coordinating with the bus company to get the identity of the bus driver, who will be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in multiple physical injuries and damage to property.

Citing accounts of the injured passengers, Talacay said the bus was racing against a Safeway bus along Commonwealth from Fairview.

However, there was reportedly a pedicab in front of the Nova Transport bus that suddenly stopped, forcing the bus driver to steer to the left.