36 hurt in 4-vehicle smashup on EDSA

MANILA, Philippines - Thirty-six people were reported injured in a collision involving four vehicles along EDSA in Quezon City Sunday night.

Traffic enforcer Romeo Ragas said the victims sustained bruises and were brought to East Avenue Medical Center and Quirino Memorial Medical Center for treatment.

He said 25 of the victims were passengers of a Mayamy Bus Line unit, while the others were in a Royal Transport bus and a Nissan Sentra and on a motorcycle.

The incident happened at past 9 p.m. on EDSA’s northbound lane near Camp Aguinaldo.

Based on a traffic incident report, Ronald Abangay fell off his motorcycle when he tried to avoid hitting a taxi. He fell just as the Royal Transport bus, driven by Alejandro Perez, was approaching. When Perez stepped on the brakes, he hit the Sentra, driven by Adolfo Aran, and the motorcycle.

As the three vehicles collided, the Mayamy bus driven by Roel Pajares rear-ended the Royal Transport bus. Ragas said Pajares fled following the collision.

Because of the impact, passengers of the two buses were reportedly thrown from their seat.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board yesterday suspended for 30 days the franchise of the Mayamy bus and ordered the bus firm to explain why its franchise should not be cancelled following the incident.