Don Mariano bus crash victim recounts horror

Bodies of passengers are covered in newspapers as they are laid down on the road after a passenger bus plunged from an elevated highway known as Skyway Monday, Dec. 16, 2013, in suburban Paranaque southeast of Manila, Philippines. Officials said at least 21 people died, mostly passengers, and more than 20 others were injured in the accident. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

MANILA, Philippines – A passenger of the ill-fated Don Mariano Transit bus that plunged from the elevated Skyway on the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) Monday in Taguig City said it was a miracle he survived the crash.

In an interview with Inquirer Radio 990AM, Ryan Brecia recounted his horror.

Brecia said he boarded the Don Mariano bus on his way to work in Muntinlupa City early Monday.

“I was seated just three rows behind the driver before the accident happened. The bus was speeding so fast even before we reached the Skyway. It was raining and this made the road slippery,” he said.

Because the bus was travelling so fast, Brecia said the driver appeared having a hard time controlling the vehicle. Then suddenly it  rammed the Skyway railings and plunged onto a passing van.

“The impact was on the right side. I heard someone shouting for help, but I immediately went out on one of the windows of the bus because I was afraid the bus might explode,” he said.

Brecia suffered bruises and minor injuries on his right arm and chest.

“Rescuers arrived at about 15 minutes after the accident,” he said.

Brecia said he does not know if the driver was drunk or sleepy.

“What I know is that the driver was speeding so fast,” he said.

Investigators have yet to determine how the bus fell off from the Skyway.

According to the Land Transportation and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Don Mariano Bus Company has history of tragic road accidents.