3 Filipinos in New York bus mishap safe, cleared for travel

FILE: The Department of Foreign Affairs Building along Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City, which used to be the headquarters of the Asian Development Bank. (Photo By Lawrence Ruiz, CC BY-SA 4.0)

By Marita Moaje, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The three Filipino nationals involved in a fatal bus accident on a New York freeway last week have been discharged from the hospital and cleared for travel.

In a statement on Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Filipinos are based in Qatar.

DFA spokesperson Angelica Escalona assured that the Philippine Consulate General in New York provides continuous assistance to the group.

“A consulate representative will meet them to ascertain their needs and ensure their welfare until their scheduled departure,” Escalona said.

On Aug. 22, a tourist bus carrying 54, including Filipinos, Indians and Chinese, crashed near Pembroke town while returning to New York from Niagara Falls.

Police reported that five died from the accident, all adults.

It said the driver was “distracted” while many passengers were not wearing seatbelts.