SEVEN Metro Rail Train Line 3 (MRT-3) personnel were injured early Wednesday morning after two trains collided between the Buendia and Guadalupe stations while conducting maintenance.
According to MRT-3 management, the two maintenance service vehicles collided while conducting OCS (overhead catenary system) and tracks maintenance around 3 a.m.
The injured personnel were rushed to Victor R Potenciano Medical Center in Mandaluyong City. They were identified by the MRT-3 management as Joseph Cyril Ursua, Rogelio Piamonte, Rengie Velarde, Alex Lomigo, Randy Bolilan, Eric Anthony Cabbab, and Ramil Malibiran.
The operation of MRT-3 was delayed due to the accident, affecting many commuters.
“Due to the accident, train insertion was delayed and early morning operations of the MRT-3 was affected. Passenger service started at 6:08 a.m. with eight trains inserted. Normal operations with 15 trains was restored by 7:30 a.m.,” the MRT-3 management said in a statement.
All the medical expenses of the employees will be shouldered by the MRT-3 management.
“[Our] maintenance and security personnel sustained injuries and are now being treated at the VRP Medical Center. DoTr-MRT3 management has reached out to their families, and will shoulder all their medical expenses.”
The train management apologized to the public because of the inconvenience the accident caused.
To help the affected passengers, MRT-3 said DoTr Road Sector together with Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Highway Patrol Group, and Land Transportation Office deployed additional augmentation buses. (Jel Santos)