Truck driver killed in Quiapo elevator mishap

A truck driver was killed in Quiapo, Manila in a warehouse elevator mishap, GMA 7 news program "24 Oras" reported on Monday.

Victim Manolito Naguit had joined his fellow Solar Rise Marketing-employees as they rode the warehouse's open service elevator to the third floor, where they planned to take a break.

But the elevator suddenly stopped on the second floor, and, according to his colleagues, Naguit jumped out of the elevator.

The elevator then suddenly started to move again, and Naguit was crushed against the elevator shaft.

Solar Rise Marketing had refused to comment on the incident, but according to Nenita Naguit, the victim's daughter, the company was assisting the family.

"Nagtanong po sila kung okay naman daw po ba, inanuhan daw po ba, sinagot daw po ba... sinagot naman daw po lahat. 'Yan burol pati po libing," Nenita said.

Meanwhile, the Manila Police District (MPD) had labeled the incident a "death under inquiry," pointing out that something similar had happened before, though the victim was not killed in the earlier event.

Police invesitagors were also looking into whether the building's owner could be held liable for Naguit's death.

"Almost a month ago meron din kasing insidente na ganon na bigla rin naman silang tumalon dahil may sudden acceleration nga dito sa elevator na 'to. Kaya ngayon ang nangyari baka akala nila is ganon ang nangyari," said Senior Inspector Rommel Anicete, chief of the MPD homicide section.

"Ito eh nakita nga na biglang tumalon. Magre-refer din kami siyempre sa city hall natin para dito. I-check ulit 'yung safety nito at mga ginagamit nila," Anicete added. — Anna Felicia Bajo/DVM, GMA News