Fourteen individuals were injured in a collision between a Philippine National Railways inspection train and a passenger bus on the Maharlika Highway in Nabua, Camarines Sur before dawn on Saturday, May 24.
A Department of Transportation statement said the bus – a Mega Bus Lines Corp. bus with body number E-239 – rammed the train while it was crossing the Paloyon-Nabua Crossing.
The bus landed on its side due to the impact.
Thirteen bus passengers were injured and taken to the hospital by authorities. The bus driver was also injured but refused to be taken to the hospital.
The DOTr said nobody was injured from the train that
clears the tracks ahead of a traveling passenger train.
Police said the bus with at least 30 passengers was on its way to Legazpi City, Albay from Pasay City. The train manned by PNR personnel, on the other hand, was headed to Polangui, Albay from Naga City, Camarines Sur.
The DOTr ordered the Land Transportation Office and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to issue a show-cause order against the driver and Mega Bus Lines following the incident.
The SCO is in compliance with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s order to ensure safe travel for commuters and regular train operations in the Bicol Region.
An SCO was also issued asking the PNR to explain the lack of safety measures in train operations and implement measures to avoid a repeat of the incident.
The bus has been removed from the accident site and Naga to Legazpi PNR trips resumed hours after the incident.
The bus driver was taken to the Nabua Municipal Police Station and has been in touch with representatives from the PNR.
Police urged the PNR to implement additional safety measures in the area to avoid a repeat of the accident.
The bus company has sent representatives to assist the injured passengers.
Police are preparing paperwork if the injured passengers decide to files cases.