13 dead as dump truck crashes in Camarines Sur
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Sun, 09 Jun 2019 08:15:20 +0000
A SCENE in the tragic road tragedy that took place Saturday in San Fernando, Camarines Sur. Thirteen, including at least two children, died while 32 others were injured. (Contributed photo by JM Baculay)
SAN FERNANDO, Camarines Sur – A dump truck carrying close to 50 people, mostly young, lost control in a steep, downhill portion of the road, crashed into a tree, and rolled over in Barangay Tagpocol Saturday, killing 13 and injuring the rest, according to San Fernando police.
Patrolman Nestor Adriatico initially reported that seven died from the accident, five of whom killed on the spot.
But yesterday, Patrolman Arnulf Llabres said the death toll rose to 13, including five who died on the spot. Their identities were withheld pending notification of their relatives.
The injured passengers, including the driver, were brought to the Bicol Medical Center in Naga City where eight died while undergoing treatment.
The passengers sat or stood in the open bed of the Foton truck registered under the name of the local government unit of San Fernando.
“Sa ngayon, anim na lang yung nasa BMC, 45 lahat yung pasahero. Lima yung dead on the spot at yung iba sa ospital na namatay. Hindi na po muna kami makakabigay ng pangalan kasi nakiusap yung pamilya ng mga biktima na huwag na muna ilabas yung mga pangalan,” Llabres said.
Two of the fatalities were children while another was a woman who was set to get married, but lost her legs in the accident.
“Nakausap pa ng mga pulis yung babae na pinamanhikan, pero namatay din. Putol yung kanyang mga paa,” Llabres said.
Adriatico said the truck came from a coastal barangay.
“Galing sa coastal barangay ng San Fernando yung truck kasi namanhikan. Pauwi na sila nung mangyari ang aksidente. Yung lalaki na namanhikan, nagpa-iwan kaya di nakasama sa aksidente,” Adriatico said.
The Foton truck was driven by Mario Jacobo who blamed brake malfunction for the accident.
Jacobo told police that he noticed that the brakes of the truck were weak.
“Buhay yung driver. Hindi naman siya lasing nung mangyari ang aksidente. Sabi niya, pupunta pa lang daw sila dun sa coastal barangay, napansin na niya na mahina yung preno,” Adriatico said.
The bodies of the victims were brought to St. Peter Chapel, San Fernando, Camarines Sur.
Mayor Fermin Mabulo, assured the victims that the local government will extend help.
“Let us offer a minute of prayer to all those who perished in the recent vehicular accident in Tagpocol. Also prayer is requested for those injured for their fast healing and recovery,” Mabulo said.
He also asked for some help from the public. “Any help that you can give to those affected especially their families will be much appreciated,” he added. (Nino Luces)