1 killed, 42 hurt as bus rams resto in Quezon

MANILA, Philippines - One died while 42 others were injured after a wayward passenger bus rammed a restaurant on Saturday along Maharlika Highway in Sariaya town in Quezon province.

The Quezon Philippine National Police identified the lone fatality as Jessa Lagrazon Estimo, a restaurant helper sleeping inside Kabayan restaurant in Barangay Sto. Cristo.

The accident happened at around 12 p.m. when a “Raymond” passenger bus, driven by Leandro Deguito, overtook a police car, lost control which then smashed into the left portion of the restaurant, instantly killing Estimo.

Initial reports said as many as 42 people were injured with most of the victims still in critical condition. Some victims were reported to have lost arms in the accident.

Among those identified to have been injured were Estimo’s co-helper, Joselito Malapitan Dimayuga and 41 of the 56 bus passengers.

The injured restaurant helper and bus passengers were brought to Greg Hospital in Sariaya town proper and Lucena United Doctors Hospital and Quezon Medical Center, both in Lucena City for treatment.

The bus driver is currently detained at the Sariaya police jail.