2 hurt after electronic billboard parts fell from QC building amid Uwan

Two people onboard a motorcycle were hurt after parts of an electronic billboard fell from a building in Quezon City amid the onslaught of Typhoon Uwan Monday morning. 

In an update, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said the incident happened on Aurora Boulevard-Katipunan Service Road southbound around 9 a.m. 

“Dalawa ang sugatan dahil sa insidente. Nangyari ang insidente pasado 9 a.m. sa gitna ng malakas na hangin at ulan sa lugar,” the MMDA said.

(Two people were injured in the incident. The incident occurred past 9 a.m. amid strong winds and rain in the area.)

The driver and backrider of the motorcycle were brought to a hospital, according to Super Radyo dzBB’s Allan Gatus. The driver suffered from wounds, chest pain, and shoulder pain, while the backrider’s face became swollen. 

Aside from the motorcycle, the debris also hit a car in the area, which sustained damage on its bumper. 

Katipunan Service Road southbound from Xavierville up to the intersection on Aurora Boulevard has been temporarily closed, according to the MMDA.

“Sa Xavierville Avenue o sa Katipunan flyover muna ang daan ng mga sasakyan na nasa kahabaan ng Katipunan Southbound at U-turn sa Katipunan bago mag-B. Serrano southbound para sa mga sasakyang papunta ng Marcos Highway,” the MMDA said.

(Vehicles along Katipunan Southbound are advised to pass through Xavierville Avenue or the Katipunan flyover, while vehicles heading to Marcos Highway are advised to take U-turn to Katipunan before B. Serrano southbound.)

In a statement, Summit Outdoor Media, the company operating the LED billboards, said it will shoulder the medical expenses of the victims.

“We acknowledge and express our sincerest apologies for the incident involving one of our LED billboards that occurred following the recent typhoon,” Summit Outdoor Media said in a separate statement.

“Our team has already reached out to provide full medical care, assistance, and support as necessary. The company will shoulder all related medical expenses as well as the cost of the vehicle damage,” it added.

As a precautionary measure, Summit Outdoor Media suspended the LED billboard's operations while an internal investigation is ongoing.

It also said that their engineering teams are on-site to conduct inspections and other safety reinforcements.

“We wish to assure the public that all our structures are built and maintained in compliance with government safety regulations and industry standards,” Summit Outdoor Media said.

“We remain fully committed to cooperating closely with the concerned authorities as we work to prevent similar incidents in the future,” it added.

—Mariel Celine Serquiña/AOL, MCG, GMA Integrated News