Passenger switched seat, escaped death from Skyway mishap

MANILA, Philippines - A passenger of the Don Mariano Transit liner that skidded off the elevated Skyway in Parañaque City on Monday narrowly escaped death while at least 18 were killed in the fatal Monday accident.

Ryan Brecia, speaking with DZMM, said he decided to switch his seat nearer the front portion of the bus right before the vehicle crashed from the edge of the expressway reportedly while it was speeding near its limit.

"Kumapit po ako tapos bumagsak na," he said.

"Milagro lang po kasi 'yung konduktor ng bus nakaharang sa likod kaya ang ginawa ko po, umupo ako sa may kanan muna, tapos lumipat po ako sa kaliwa," Brecia said.

Related: Franchise in Skyway tragedy had 'past accidents'

He was certain that if he stayed at the right side of the bus, it would be the last of him as the vehicle landed belly up and tilted on its right side onto the road below. It also crashed on a closed van, killing the latter's driver.

Calling himself "lucky," Ryan said the events happened so fast that he could not say how exactly the bus plunged from the highway.

"Medyo mabilis po (ang takbo) na parang hindi na nababalanse ng driver 'yung pagmamaneho ... pinipilit n'yang balansehin," Brecia, who sustained a minor arm injury, recalled.

Brecia said that while he has no family of his own as of now, he has worried parents and a girlfriend.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman Winston Ginez said that injured passengers will receive P90,000 from accident insurance.

Families of deceased victims, meanwhile, will receive P150,000 each.

Read: Scores dead in bus' deadly fall from Skyway

The entire fleet of  the bus firm was also suspended for one month and would have to undergo inspection and investigation.

Ginez said that the agency is also mulling the revocation of the professional license of the bus driver who survived the incident.