Mini-bus falls off Skyway; 2 injured

MANILA, Philippines - Two people were injured when a speeding sport utility vehicle (SUV) rear-ended a mini-bus, causing the vehicle to fall off the Skyway in Sun Valley, Parañaque City yesterday morning.

Allan Nowal, 34, was driving the mini-bus – owned by Skyway Tollways Corp. – along the elevated highway’s southbound lane in Sun Valley after ferrying the firm’s tellers to their respective tollbooths when the accident occurred at around 5:17 a.m., according to reports. 

A Toyota Fortuner, driven by RJ Erice, 21, hit the rear of the mini-bus when Erice reportedly lost control. He and the SUV’s seven passengers were on their way home to Laguna from a weekend vacation in Baguio City, the reports stated.

The impact sent the mini-bus over the Skyway rail. The SUV fell to the service road, but did not hit any of the passing vehicles.

Nowal and a passenger of the Fortuner were slightly injured and brought to a nearby hospital.

The Philippine National Police’s Highway Patrol Group is investigating the incident.

In December last year, 21 people were killed and at least 20 others were injured when a Don Mariano Transit bus fell off the Skyway. The bus firm’s franchises for its fleet have since been revoked.