47 hurt in 3-bus collision

MANILA, Philippines - Forty-seven passengers were hurt when a bus sideswiped another bus, which in turn hit another bus at a loading bay in Quezon City yesterday morning.  

Superintendent Ely Pintang, head of the Quezon City Police District’s Traffic Enforcement Unit, said the 47 passengers were brought to East Avenue Medical Center for minor injuries.

Pintang said the incident happened at the Philcoa loading bay along Commonwealth Avenue at past 5 a.m.

A Nova Auto Transport Inc. bus driven by Rogelio Mario Baja Jr. sideswiped a bus of Marikina Auto Line, then unloading passengers in the area. Because of the impact, the sideswiped bus rear-ended a Safeway bus.

Pintang said Baja is facing a complaint for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple physical injuries.

According to ABS-CBN, Baja fled the scene after the accident, but surrendered four hours later. He said he had a meal to steady his nerves before surrendering.