A passenger bus fell off the Skyway on Monday morning leaving at least 22 persons dead.
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| Bodies pile up along SLEX after bus falls off from the Skyway early Monday morning. |
It was an ordinary Monday morning for most of the passengers inside a Don Mariano Transit Bus, most of them trying to go to work early. Little did they know that the bus will figure in a road mishap that will eventually kill at least 22 of them.
A DZMM report said that a Pacita-bound Don Mariano Transit Corp. bus with plate number UVC 916 fell off the elevated part of Skyway in Barangay Marcelo Green, Parañaque City and plunged into the west service road of the southbound lane of South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) at around 5 a.m.
The bus fell on top of an aluminum van killing the two passengers on board the vehicle.
According to the Philippine Red Cross, there are 22 persons confirmed dead, while 8 others including bus driver Carmelo Calascas, were rushed to various hospitals.
The victims have yet to be identified by authorities.
Initial reports say the bus was overspeeding amid slippery roads caused by rains.
A witness, Irene Sisperez told DZMM that while her car was doing 80 kph, she was suddenly overtaken by the bus which she estimated to have been traveling at around 100 to 110 kph before it plunged into SLEX.
"Nag-overtake sa akin ang Don Mariano bus. Nagku-kwentuhan kami ng anak ko, sabi ko 'tignan mo itong bus na ito hindi marunong sumunod.' Ang speed ko 80 (kph) eh, nag-overtake siya sa akin so ang estimate ko 100 to 110 kph (ang bilis niya)," she said.
"Ilang meters pa lang, nakita ko biglang nahulog ang bus. Walang ibang sasakyan, ako lang talaga ang nasa likod niya eh."
Skyway authorities said the speed limit for buses is at 80 kph.
Meanwhile, due to the accident, the Land Transportation Regulatory and Franchising Board (LTFRB) has issued a 30-day preventive suspension for all 78 units of Don Mariano Transit, pending an investigation into the matter.
The company's drivers will also need to undergo safety and road worthiness tests.
In July 2012, a Don Mariano bus slammed into the steel railings of the EDSA-Ortigas flyover where six people were hurt. Source: DZMM/Photo credit: Rappler