TIAONG, Quezon, Philippines – Six passengers sustained injuries when their bus collided with an Asian utility vehicle (AUV) along the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Lusacan here before dawn yesterday, authorities said.
The mishap occurred just three days after another passenger bus was hit by a dump truck in Barangay Lalig, also in this town, killing three people and hurting 25 others.
Superintendent Laudemer Llaneta, Tiaong police chief, said the AUV, a Toyota Revo, was entering the highway from a bypass road when it hit the left front of a northbound Isarog bus.
The Toyota Revo’s driver, a certain Andres Fombuena, was reported to be in critical condition. Five of his passengers, including two minors, were also injured and rushed to the Liwag Medical Clinic in Tiaong town and Peter Paul Hospital in Candelaria town.
The five passengers were identified as Amor Laguerta, 36; Ana Fombuena, 31; Carl John Laguerta, nine; Gabriek Fombuena, one; and Majoy Guardalasa, 19.
Bus driver Arnel Serdan is facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple physical injuries and damage to property.
Last Wednesday, a Jam passenger bus was headed south when a dump truck on the opposite direction hit it.
The collision sent the bus turning upside down and landing about 40 meters away, trapping all the passengers, including the driver and conductor, inside. The accident left three dead and 25 others injured.