Fire truck flips over after trying to overtake vehicles in Pasig City

A fire truck responding to a fire incident in Pasig City failed to reach its destination after it flipped over while attempting to overtake a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) and a motorcycle on Sunday.

According to EJ Gomez’s report in “24 Oras” on Monday, dashcam footage captured a white MPV driving along East Bank Road in Barangay Manggahan, Pasig City, at around 11:00 a.m. the day before.

The sirens of an oncoming fire truck could be heard, prompting the vehicle with the dashcam to switch lanes and give way to the fire truck.

However, the white MPV kept driving on its lane even if the emergency vehicle was getting closer.

A few moments later, a motorcycle overtook the dashcam-bearing vehicle and caught up with the white MPV.

The fire truck caught up with the two vehicles and attempted to squeeze between the white MPV and the motorcycle.

The driver of the fire truck lost control of the wheel, causing the truck to careen out of control and ended up on its side.

Both the motorcycle and the MPV were seen driving away from the scene.

“When our personnel got there, the fire truck had already overturned. We asked around about how it happened, and concerned citizens there said the driver swerved to avoid two motorcycles. When the driver yanked the steering wheel, the truck flipped onto its side because it was loaded with water,” said Barangay Manggahan team leader Hermogenes Arucan.

The water from the fire truck spilled over the road. Scratch marks were also seen on the road.

Charlie Abarca, the 21-year-old fire truck driver, said he put their siren on full blast.

“Even from a distance, our fire truck could already be heard because it’s loud, and I also had the siren on full blast,” Abarca said.

“My assessment of the white SUV ahead of me... At first, it was driving fast, but as I got closer, it suddenly slowed down. So I tried to squeeze through the gap between them – I went right in the middle. After I passed them, that’s when I lost control,” he added.

Abarca suffered wounds on his right arm, while a fire volunteer had a bump on his left ear.

“When we overturned, the windshield shattered. We ended up escaping through the vehicle’s windshield,” he added.

Aside from the windshield, the fire truck had several damages on the right bumper, its doors, and on the valve outside of the pump.

“This is also a reminder for everyone: once you hear emergency vehicles, you can easily give way even if you do it slowly. When we are still far off, please give way already so that emergency vehicles, whether an ambulance or a fire truck, can arrive safely at their destination,” said Sid Mariano, president of Etraksid Fire and Rescue Volunteers. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/JMA, GMA News