Survivor recounts how he survived Skyway accident

MANILA - A last minute decision to switch seats allowed a passenger to survive the fall of the ill-fated Don Mariano bus from the Skyway on the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) in Taguig. Passenger Ryan Brecia said he boarded the Pacita-bound bus on his way to work in Muntinlupa City early Monday. He said his survival was a miracle after he decided to switch seats on the left just three rows behind the driver before the accident. "Milagro na lang. Pagsakay namin, yung conductor nakaharang dun sa daanan sa likod kaya ang ginawa ko sumakay ako sa kanan muna. Tapos nung nasisikipan na ako, lumipat ako sa kaliwa yung pangatlong upuan," he said in a radio DZMM interview. "Kung nagstay ako sa kanan, sigurado po (patay ako)," he added. At least 22 people were killed in the accident, which saw the Don Mariano bus ramming the Skyway railings and falling on top of a closed van. A report by DZMM correspondent Dennis Datu said the back portion of the bus was completely crushed along with several passengers. Brecia also confirmed that the bus driver seemed to be speeding and was having a hard time controlling the bus before the accident. He said the rain also made the road slippery. "Medyo mabilis po. Kasi parang hindi na nababalanse ang pagmamaneho nya. Gumewang po talaga. Pinipilit niya balansehin e. Umuulan po," he said. Brecia said he suffered bruises and contusions on his right arm and chest but is otherwise unharmed. The passenger said he does not know if the driver was drunk or sleepy before the accident. "Medyo mabilis lang siya magmaneho," he said. RADIO DZMM, December 16, 2013