MANILA — A Filipino passenger who was injured when a bus carrying tourists to Munich, Germany, overturned Sunday recalled how quickly the crash happened, saying she lost consciousness after shattered glass struck her face.
The passenger, identified as “Rochelle,” sustained injuries to her face and body and underwent surgery following the accident on the A96 highway near Buchloe, Bavaria.
“Mabilis po ang pangyayari. Hindi na po kami nasa straight line ng road. Mabilis ang pangyayari, hindi na ako nakasigaw,” Rochelle said.
She recalled realizing that the bus was already tilting before it went off the road.
“Nasabi ko na lang 'tumatagilid na tayo', tapos lumabas na po kami sa road,” she said.
Rochelle said the bus appeared to hit rocks along the roadside several times, causing it to bounce before eventually rolling over.
“Then after ilang beses lang po nagpaikot-ikot na po ang bus. Naalala ko lang po, pumutok na po ang salamin ng bus sa face ko. Doon po ako nawalan ng malay,” she said.
When she regained consciousness, her left arm and leg were trapped inside the overturned bus.
“Pagkagising ko po, nakaipit na sa bus ang left arm at left leg ko sa bus,” she said.
The crash killed two Philippine nationals and injured several others after the bus carrying a Filipino tour group left the A96 and overturned while traveling toward Munich for the Oktoberfest.
German authorities said the crash happened early Sunday between Buchloe-Ost and Landsberg am Lech-West. No other vehicle was involved, and an investigation into the circumstances of the crash is ongoing.
Two Philippine tourists killed in German bus crash
Earlier, the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt said the majority of the Filipino nationals affected by the crash had been discharged from hospitals across Bavaria and cleared to travel back to Milan as of Monday night.
However, some Filipinos remained hospitalized for serious injuries, with Philippine officials still coordinating with German hospitals and authorities regarding their condition and needs.
RETURN OF VICTIMS TO FAMILIES
Meanwhile, the families of the two Filipinos who died in the crash are making arrangements for their remains.
OWWA Administrator PY Caunan said one family wants their loved one's remains brought back to Milan, while the family of another victim wants the remains repatriated to the Philippines.
“‘Yung pamilya ni OFW Dyka, ‘yung pamilya niya ang may intensiyon na ma-repatriate ang human remains po niya,” Caunan said.
Philippine officials have also met with the injured passengers and their doctors to assess their medical needs.
Abalos said the Philippine government remains in contact with the victims' families and is monitoring the investigation into the crash.
Families of Filipino bus crash victims in Germany ask for prayers, privacy
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