13 hurt in NLEX smashup

MANILA, Philippines — Thirteen people were injured after a passenger bus crashed into a van and a dump truck along the southbound lane of the North Luzon Expressway in Valenzuela City on Monday night.

Police said the front portion of the bus, which was carrying 30 passengers, was crushed due to the impact.

Investigation showed that the speeding bus hit a closed van on the third lane of the expressway before crashing into a dump truck on the fourth lane.

The bus came from Angat, Bulacan and was heading to Caloocan when the accident occurred.

The dump truck, which was carrying sand, was bound for Taguig from Porac, Pampanga.

One of the passengers said the collision was so strong that they had to break the bus windows to get out as the door was jammed.

One of the victims, an 83-year-old woman, suffered bruises on her face, and was among those taken to the hospital.

The drivers of the bus and the dump truck were brought to the police station where they reached a settlement.

The bus operator shouldered the medical expenses of the victims.

The driver of the van did not press charges.

The Department of Transportation suspended the bus company for 90 days following the accident.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said he had approved the suspension after an initial review of the incident. — Christine Boton