30 passengers hurt as bus rams NLEX barrier

GUIGUINTO, Bulacan – At least 30 people were injured when a bus bound for Quezon City from Dagupan rammed into a concrete barrier at the center of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) at the height of typhoon “Frank” yesterday.

The victims were rushed to the Bulacan Polymedic Hospital in Guiguinto and to the Bulacan Provincial Hospital in Malolos.

Some of the injured are: Dennis Pajarillo and Reggie Alejandrino, the bus driver and conductor: and Janeth Santiago, Ernesto Alcantara, Emilyn Cayabyab, Paul Lapig, Lucila Alegre and Edgar Garcia.

Authorities are still trying to identify the other victims, who are being treated at the Bulacan Polymedic.

Pajarillo, 25, said they were cruising along the NLEX at Barangay Sta. Rita in Guiguinto when the brakes of the bus got stuck-up around 2:30 p.m.

The momentum caused the bus to roll over and ram into the middle concrete barrier before setting on the center island, he added.

The bus was ìnot moving that fast when the accident occurred because heavy rains “caused almost zero visibility,” Pajarillo said.

A passenger, Teck Gabuyan, 22, of San Mateo, Rizal, said after the crash, they immediately pulled out the other passengers from the wreckage.

Some passing motorists tried to help while they were waiting for an ambulance, he added.

The Dagupan Bus with plate No. AVN-729 left San Carlos City in Pangasinan for Cubao, Quezon City at 10 a.m. yesterday. – Dino Balabo