10 hurt as bus starts 5-vehicle smashup

MANILA, Philippines - Ten persons were injured in a collision involving five vehicles along the westbound intersection of Quezon and Araneta Avenues in Quezon City early yesterday.

The Quezon City Police District’s Traffic Enforcement Group said the cause of the incident has yet to be determined.

Police said initial reports stated that a Florida bus (BVM-640) bound for Quiapo rear-ended a passenger jeepney traveling along Araneta Avenue going to Sta. Mesa.

The jeepney hit a taxicab in front. The bus driver reportedly swerved to the right, bumping into another passenger jeepney that then hit a sedan in front of it.

Police said those injured were mostly onboard the first jeepney that was hit by the bus. A 19-year-old girl’s eyes were damaged in the incident and she was confined at the East Avenue Medical Center. The other victims had been released from the hospital.

Police said some of the victims claimed the bus driver, identified as Elpidio Pagtulingan, was trying to beat the red traffic light. Pagtulingan, however, denied this and said his brakes failed. The driver has been taken into police custody. – Reinir Padua