Airport staff on escaping near-death experience at NAIA crash: 'Napapaluha po ako habang nagtatrabaho'
A woman who works at Ninoy Aquino International Airport as a traffic aide recalled the tragic car crash at Terminal 1 and how she managed to escape it.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Florence Flores said she was busy with traffic control at the departure area when the accident took place on May 4.
"Ako po 'yung naiwasan, ako po mismo 'yung nakatayo dun sa dulo ng line ng pinagpaparadahan po ng mga naghahatid," she said.
"'[Nung] time na po [na] 'yun, nakatayo ako nun pero nakatalikod ako sa side niya, may naririnig akong nagrerebolusyon," she recalled, referring to the sports utility vehicle that crashed into the passenger entrance. "After nun, hindi ko naman po alam na siya mismo 'yung nagre-rebolusyon. Nung time na 'yun, humarurot na lang po siya."
While she was able to continue providing assistance to the people in the area after the crash incident, she still found herself crying about it from time to time.
"Napapaluha po ako habang nagtatrabaho pero itinatago ko lang," she opened up. "Kunwari ay matapang maski na napupuna ng kapwa sa trabaho na ako ay umiiyak."
She still thinks about it to this day, especially when she's alone. "May trauma po. Ngayon po, kung ako'y nasa bahay 'pag nakaupo, narerecall ko sa isip ko pero kailangan kong gumawa ng ibang gawain para mawala sa aking isip," she added.
Flores said she's grateful for having been able to escape the near-death experience. "Nung time na 'yun, sabi ko [na] lang po, 'Thank you, Lord at nandito pa rin ako at nagbibigay pa rin ng serbisyo sa ating mga hinahatid.''
"Diyos lang talaga ang magliligtas sa atin," she mused, "kaya po patuloy ang aking pasasalamat at ako ay iniwas sa kapahamakan."
In the morning of May 4, a black SUV crashed through the outer railing of NAIA Terminal 1 and into the walkway near the passenger entrance. The incident resulted in two deaths and four injuries.
The Land Transportation Office has ordered a 90-day preventative suspension on the license of the driver, while the NAIA Police Station 1 charged him with reckless imprudence resulting in two counts of homicide, multiple physical injuries, and damage to property.
Upon initial review of CCTV Footage, the DOTr said that there was "no premeditated plan to inflict harm" in the incident.
