Passenger falls out of speeding bus

MANILA, Philippines - A 48-year-old carpenter fell from an overloaded bus along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City yesterday morning.

The MGP Transit bus (TYJ-252) was traversing the avenue’s southbound lane near the UP-Ayala Technohub when the driver, Felix Adora, swerved to avoid a cyclist at around 6 a.m., Senior Police Officer 1 Gary Talacay said.

Joel Morales, who was standing near the open door of the overloaded bus, suffered facial injuries when he fell out. Adora, 46, fled the scene following the incident.

Talacay said he and other investigators had to visit the bus firm to learn the driver’s identity. Adora will face charges of reckless imprudence resulting in serious physical injury and violating Republic Act 4136 (the hit and run law) for failing to report an accident, he said.

Talacay said such accidents happen because bus drivers overload their vehicles and do not implement the “closed door” policy while the vehicle is in motion.