15 hurt in new Quezon collision

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines – Fifteen people were hurt when another passenger bus lost its brakes and rammed into three other vehicles and a house in Pagbilao, Quezon early yesterday morning, police said.

Chief Inspector Ladumer Llaneta, Pagbilao police chief, said a Manila-bound Elavil bus driven by Jaime Ercilla was cruising the new diversion road in Barangay Malicboy when its brake system malfunctioned and it collided with a Peñafrancia bus at around 1 a.m.

After hitting the rear of the Peñafrancia bus, the Elavil unit continued to go wayward, subsequently hitting a Bicol-bound 10-wheeler truck and another bus, a Manila-bound Philtranco unit.

Police said the bus finally stopped when it hit a house, which almost fell into a deep ravine because of the impact.

Barangay officials and residents, together with policemen, rushed the 15 injured passengers of the Elavil bus to the nearest hospital. No one was hurt from the other vehicles involved in the road mishap.

Last Monday morning, units of the Lucena Bus Lines and Bragais Lines collided along the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Domoit in Lucena City, killing nine people and injuring more than 40 others. – With Michelle Zoleta