14-wheeler truck falls into hole on Roxas Boulevard in Manila

A 14-wheeler dumper loaded with 16 tons of sand fell into a hole before dawn Sunday when the pavement on a portion of Roxas Boulevard in Manila collapsed under the truck's weight.

Photo by Danny Pata

Citing initial information, GMA News reported the incident occurred at about 2 a.m. Sunday at the corner of Roxas Boulevard and Remedios St.

According to the truck's driver, they came from Pampanga to deliver sand for the Manila Bay rehabilitation project.

Driver Michael Layco was quoted as saying they were supposed to pass through Roxas Boulevard, but traffic enforcers directed them to take the service road to give way for the Manilamarathon 2019 event, and as he turned at Remedios Street corner, the concrete covering a huge drainage canal collapsed, leaving the truck half-buried in the hole.

As of Sunday morning MMDA personnel were still finding ways to pull the truck from the hole.

For its part, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said it was looking into the matter.

"DPWH is currently investigating the incident in Roxas Bouleverad involving a 14-wheeler-truck loaded with sand. Equipment and personnel have now been deployed," DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said in a statement.

The department also explained that the double-barrel box culvert along Remedios street was constructed in the 1970s. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/LBG/DVM, GMA News