Eighteen people were injured after a bus heading for Metro Manila from Bicol figured in a freak accident in Quezon province before dawn Monday.

 

Police said the bus went out of control as it was passing through Pagbilao town at about 3:30 a.m., and turned on its side.

 

"Sabi ng driver nawalan ng preno at ang kaliwang gulong nahulog sa open canal kaya nahulog sa left side down," Pagbilao police investigator PO3 Allan Palqueza said in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

He said the bus was heading from Naga City in Bicol to Pasay City in Metro Manila at the time the incident occurred.

 

According to Palqueza, local rescue teams pulled out 18 people including the driver, and brought them to a nearby hospital.

 

The injuries they suffered were "minor," he added.

 

Palqueza said their initial findings also showed it was raining in the area where the crash occurred.

 

Monday's incident was the latest accident involving buses in past weeks.

 

Last Wednesday, a bus crashed at the flyover at Epifanio delos Santos Avenue and Ortigas, injuring eight people. The driver was suspected of speeding while texting.

 

On Sunday, another bus figured in a three-vehicle smashup at a tunnel along EDSA in Mandaluyong City. Two people were killed in the incident. — RSJ, GMA News