Three hurt in multiple-vehicle smashup in Manila

Three individuals were hurt in a multiple-vehicle collision on Friday along Mabini Bridge in Manila City. 

According to the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Office, the collision involved a 10-wheel truck carrying coconut oil, a sport utility vehicle (SUV), and a motorcycle. Meanwhile, in Saleema Refran’s report on “24 Oras,” an Asian utility vehicle (AUV) was also involved. 

In the television report, the dashcam video submitted to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) showed that the oil tanker suddenly turned right along the southbound lane and plowed through several vehicles. 

Due to the impact of the crash, the AUV spun. Fortunately, its driver only suffered wounds, the report added. 

“Sa likod, wasak; sa tagiliran, wasak. Yung pwesto ko mismo talagang ayun yung wala. Talagang iningatan ako ng Diyos. Sobrang thankful ko talaga sa Panginoon. Akala ko nga katapusan ko na,” said Michael Oso, one of the survivors of the accident.

(Both the back and the side were destroyed. My exact spot was not affected though. God truly protected me. I'm so thankful to the Lord. I really thought it was the end for me.) 

“Nagso-sorry nga sa akin yung driver. Sabi ko, magpasalamat ka kasi walang namatay,” he added. 

(The driver said sorry to me. I just told him that he should be thankful that no one died.) 

Authorities said the front part of the truck, which was stuck on the side of the bridge, was wrecked.

Meanwhile, the truck helper explained that they felt that they already lost control of the brake while at the upper portion of the bridge. The truck driver then decided to blow the horn aggressively, the report said. 

“Okay naman po ‘yan nung umalis kami ng planta, lumabas kami, bumiyahe kami.  Pagbaba namin, nawalan kami ng preno. Kaya naisip ng driver ko, kinabig niya na po ng kanan para po maitama kami sa gutter para huminto. Eh natamaan namin yung kotse at motor,” said Davidson Reyes. 

(It was all right when we left the plant; so we went out and traveled. When we were going downhill, the vehicle lost its brakes. So my driver thought to swerve to the right to hit the gutter and stop us. But we hit a car and a motorcycle instead.) 

The three victims were already given first aid, the Manila DRRM Office said. 

An MMDA personnel, meanwhile, said that the motorcycle rider was later brought to the hospital after suffering a fracture on his right knee, according to the report. 

The truck driver is now in the custody of the Manila Police District and will face charges of reckless imprudence resulting in physical injuries and damage to property. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/VDV/VBL, GMA Integrated News