Payday Friday night turned tragic as at least eight people were killed when a public utility bus toppled to its side on the southbound lane of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) near the Valenzuela Exit in Torres Bugallon.
Initial investigation revealed that the bus rammed into a sport utility vehicle, causing the bus to fall to its side on the opposite lane around 7 p.m.
Several bodies were recovered inside the Buenasher Transport Corporation bus, according to Col. Carlito Garces.
An undetermined number of injured people including the bus driver have been rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Garces said the whole southbound lane of NLEX was left inaccessible for motorists after the accident, causing heavy buildup of traffic particularly in the Balintawak area, but this was cleared up immediately, The STAR reported.
The Philippine Red Cross, in a tweet, said it had dispatched three ambulances and a rescue vehicle to the scene of the accident.
As of 10:52 p.m., northbound lanes had been opened to traffic, while southbound traffic could access three lanes, according to the NLEX Corporation.
The company further tweeted that “the bus involved in the accident has already been recovered and moved to the roadside.” – With reporting from Romina Cabrera/STAR
