1 hurt in NAIA mishap

A hotel representative assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) was rushed to a nearby hospital the other day after he was hit by a car backing up at high speed along the Terminal 1 driveway.

Police identified the victim as Norberto Gallardo, 40, an employee of the Palm Plaza Hotel located on Adriatico street, Malate. Gallardo earns a living by meeting arriving passengers at the NAIA and escorting them to the hotel.

He was immediately rushed to San Juan de Dios Hospital in Pasay City for treatment.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Oclarit Dindo Lansang, an employee of a transport service company based at the NAIA Terminal I building.

He has been held by policemen assigned at the NAIA for questioning.

Initial investigation showed that at around 5:15 p.m. last Friday, the victim was on the pedestrian lane near the arrival area’s driveway of the NAIA Terminal 1 when a silver Toyota Corolla (XHU-862) in reverse hit him. Gallardo was thrown several meters due to the impact.

Witnesses assisted the victim and carried him to a nearby van. The van rushed the victim to the hospital for immediate treatment.

The driver of the vehicle admitted that it was his fault. He said he put the car in reverse after realizing he had forgotten to get a receipt from their office.

Lansang said that he was willing to face the consequences. The manager of the transport company said the driver would immediately be dismissed.