31 injured in NLEX accident; Separate crash in South Cotabato kills 7

In San Fernando, Pampanga, a mini bus accident on the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) left 31 people injured on the morning of Christmas Eve. The mini bus lost control and fell on its side after colliding with an Asian Utility Vehicle (AUV).

According to initial investigations by NLEX, the mini bus and the AUV were both traveling in the inner lane when the mini bus suddenly lost control, spun around, and struck the AUV before toppling onto its side. Authorities revealed that the driver of the mini bus reported hearing a loud noise from the vehicle, though the exact cause of the malfunction remains unclear.

Of the 31 injured, 29 were passengers of the mini bus, while two others were in the AUV. Several passengers, including small children, managed to escape through a hole in the rear of the damaged vehicle, seeking help from passing motorists. One elderly passenger suffered a cracked forehead, while another elderly woman is currently in critical condition. The youngest victim of the crash was a 10-month-old baby.

One of the passengers, described the chaotic moments leading up to the accident. "We were spinning around, so I immediately covered my grandchild. Then the bus suddenly tipped over," she said.

All victims were rushed to JBL Hospital in San Fernando for treatment.

Police reports suggest conflicting versions of the accident. The driver of the AUV claims the mini bus lost control and hit them, while the driver of the mini bus insists that a heavy object struck the rear of his vehicle, causing it to veer off course. The two drivers are currently in police custody, and both are expected to file complaints against each other.

While the mini bus was not overloaded, it was at maximum capacity. The incident caused a two-hour traffic jam, extending for 2.5 kilometers along the expressway.

In a separate incident, seven members of a family were killed in a tragic road accident in Polomolok, South Cotabato. The family was traveling home from a trip when their utility van reportedly lost control of its brakes and crashed into a tree. Two victims died on the spot, while five others passed away later in the hospital. One person survived the crash but was injured. The identities of the victims have not been released.