18 hurt in bus mishap

MANILA, Philippines - Eighteen passengers were injured when a speeding bus rear-ended another bus along Commonwealth Avenue yesterday morning.

The passengers – 16 from the Everlasting Transport bus and two from the Joyselle Express bus – sustained minor injuries, said Superintendent Elly Pintang, head of the Quezon City Police District’s Traffic Enforcement Unit.

He said Johnny Deladias, 50, was driving the Everlasting Transportbus (TXG-715) bound for Philcoa. However, upon reaching the corner of Commonwealth and Central Avenues, Deladias apparently miscalculated his speed, smashing into the rear of the Joyselle Express (TWB-184) driven by Narciso Benlot, 34, at past 5 a.m.

Pintang said it was possible that the Everlasting Transport bus was speeding.

Pintang said the bus firms were still negotiating for a possible settlement of the accident.